Eight Ways to Take Action

How can social technology further intellectual freedom for teens?
How will these technologies affect the school library program?
What’s the role of the teacher librarian?

Let’s explore eight ways you can address key issues related to intellectual freedom and social technology for young people.

This page only provides an overview of each issue. To learn more, read Annette Lamb's article Intellectual Freedom for Youth: Social Technology and Social Networks (PDF)

Issue 1: The Controversy

Help adults and young people distinguish between media hype and genuine concerns about
social technologies. Then design learning experiences to help young people use the tools in
positive, productive ways.

• NetSmartzKids
• GetNetWise
• WiredSafety

Issue 2: The Law

Stay informed about legislative issues and advocate for laws and regulations that help educate
young people rather than simply limiting their access.

• CIPA: Children's Internet Protection Act from the FCC
• COPPA: Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 from the FTC
• ALA Advocacy
• ISTE Advocacy
• KidzPrivacy from the FTC

Issue 3: The Tools

Help students and teachers identify and use the most powerful and practical applications of these social technologies in teaching and learning.

• Lamb's LibraryThing
• Montclair High School LibraryThing
• Freedom and Independence: The American Revolutionary War
• Pete's Pond in Botswana from National Geographic
• Think

Issue 4: The Content

Help students and educators evaluate the content of social networks and make responsible decisions regarding accessing and posting information.

• Flickr
• Apple Learning Interchange and Rosa Parks Movie
• Newzcrew from PBS and Newshour Extra
• Wikimedia Commons

Issue 5: The Profile

Provide young people and their parents with strategies for protecting their personal identity and security.

• Wikispaces for Teachers

Issue 6: The Access

Build student social technology skills through guided experiences involving the use of both closed and open social systems.

• Moodle
• Word Press
• Screenplays at Wikispaces
• Google Docs
• CIESE for ideas

Issue 7: The Policies

Ensure that your library policies are up-to-date and reflect the unique attributes of social technology.

• Pearl Harbor Survivors Project
• My Hero
• Google Earth

Issue 8: The Potential

Be an advocate of intellectual freedom. Promote applications of social technology that
motivate young learners to read, think, and actively participate in meaningful projects and
collaborations.

• Second Life URLs
• Zoey's Room
• Whyville
• Club Penguin
• AllRecipes
• Care2
• Gliffy
• Thinkature

Learn More

American Library Association

Go to the Office for Intellectual Freedom from ALA.

Go to the AASL Intellectual Freedom page.

PBS Frontline

Go to Growing Up Online from PBS Frontline for a great overview of how Internet is impacting young people.

Read Annette Lamb's article Intellectual Freedom for Youth: Social Technology and Social Networks (PDF) in Knowledge Quest. Available in the PBS Teachers: Library Media & Tech Coordinators in Articles from AASL.

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