by Mary Rudis, LVCHS Technology Coordinator

Parents, I have a simple piece of advice for all of you whose kids are asking for various gadgets and gizmos for Christmas. If you don't know how to operate it, don't give it to your kid. If it is too late and you have already bought that iPod or Creative Zen player, or you bought that cell phone that snaps photos, then you had better learn how to operate the device. At least you need to know just what your teenage child has in his or her little hands. Even teens with strong moral character are being seduced by the glitz and glamour of technology, especially if they are certain to get away with their actions without any adult finding out. What often happens is that kids get in over their heads. It takes very little knowledge or expertise to learn how to do things that seem "cool", but teens do not take the time to think about what dangers are lurking around the corner.