What is digital creation, anyway?

Pluses and minuses

Like everything else in our kids' digital lives, using these new powerful tools comes with new responsibilities. We want kids to create and share their music, movies, words, and images. But we also want to be sure they realize that whatever gets sent into the digital world can ultimately be captured or seen or sent around by anyone (even if kids think what they post is private, nothing is guaranteed).

In short, the moment they share their creations, they lose control over them. Another thing to keep on their radar: Just because they can do something doesn't mean they should. The promise of an audience and instant recognition can inspire kids to use these tools in anti-social or inappropriate ways. Videos of fights, sexually revealing images, speech that's hateful or simply cruel -- all are far too common in the digital world.

Common Sense advice

• Pick age-appropriate tools. There are great programs for elementary kids that they can use to draw, make birthday cards, create digibooks, and more.
• Assess the level of technical difficulty before your kids dive in. If they aren't ready for it, trying to do something will frustrate them -- and you.
• Give age-appropriate technology. Do fifth graders need phones that allow them to make movies and post them online? Does that new laptop have a webcam in it? Make sure the sophistication of the tool matches the sophistication of the user.
• Know how programs work. You don't have to know how to make a video or create a music mash-up, but you do have to know enough to have the talk with kids about using programs responsibly.
• Using someone else's work without their approval is a huge no-no. It's called plagiarism or piracy or copyright violation. Any way you look at it, the idea is for kids to create something, not rip something else off.
• Talk about what's appropriate. You've given them the tools, now teach kids how to use them responsibly.
• Once something is posted, anyone can see it, share it, re-use it, and/or comment on it. So it better be something that anyone at the dinner table can see.
• Don’t let money -- or the lack of it -- stand in your child’s way. Encourage collaboration with other kids and community programs.
• Most importantly, encourage and motivate your child. The creative avenues are there, the positive possibilities are endless. How you guide your child through all the choices can make all the difference
• Steer kids toward sites and activities that fit their interests -- and your values as a family.