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Invisible audiences. While it is common to face strangers in public life, our eyes provide a good sense of who can overhear our expressions. In mediated publics, not only are lurkers invisible, but persistence, searchability, and replicability introduce audiences that were never present at the time when the expression was created.

Replicability. Digital bits are copyable; this means that you can copy a conversation from one place and paste it into another place.

Context is only one complication of this architecture. Another complication has to do with scale. When we speak without amplification, our voice only carries so far. Much to the dismay of fame-seekers, just because the Internet has the potential to reach millions, the reality is that most people are heard by very few.

The lack of context is precisely why the imagined audience of Friends is key. It is impossible to speak to all people across all space and all time. It’s much easier to imagine who you are speaking to and direct your energies towards them, even if your actual audience is quite different.

two audiences cause participants the greatest headaches: those who hold power over them and those that want to prey on them.

Some try to resumé-ify their profiles, putting on a public face intended for those who hold power over them. While this is typically the adult-approved approach, this is unrealistic for most teens who prioritise socialisation over adult acceptance.

Recognise that youth want to hang out with their friends in youth space.

When asked, all youth know that anyone could access their profiles online. Yet, the most common response I receive is “…but why would they?”

The Internet mirrors and magnifies all aspects of social life.

When a teen is engaged in risky behaviour online, that is typically a sign that they’re engaged in risky behaviour offline.

technology makes it easier to find those who are seeking attention than those who are not.

Questions abound. There are no truths, only conversations.

They can posit moral conundrums, show how mediated publics differ from unmediated ones, invite youth to consider the potential consequences of their actions, and otherwise educate through conversation instead of the assertion of power.

group settings are ideal for engaging youth to consider their relationship with social technologies and mediated publics

Internet safety is on the tip of most educators’ tongues, but much of what needs to be discussed goes beyond safety. It is about setting norms and considering how different actions will be interpreted.

Create a profile on whatever sites are popular in your school.

Keep your profile public and responsible, but not lame.

Do not go surfing for your students, but if they invite you to be Friends, say yes. This is a sign that they respect you.

The more present you are, the more opportunity you have to influence the norms.