HW 7: Private or Public: That is the question!

I believe for the most part that live journaling or blogs for young teens is harmless. In some ways however it can be hurtful. The whole point of having a journal is so that people can write down their feelings and keep it to themselves. That’s why in most movies or shows, someone will sneak into someone’s room and look at the journal or diary. It’s not really meant for anyone else to read it. But, there is no harm whatsoever to make it public if you choose to. If you don’t choose to have a live journal, then you don’t have to. Young teens like these journals because they get to see another side of someone that maybe you don’t see in the classroom. Even though some of the words can be hurtful or gutsy to post. In Emily Nussbaum’s article “My So-Called Blog”, she makes this evident when she states:
As reality-television stars put it, exposure may be painful at times, but it’s all part of the process of “putting it out there,” risking judgment and letting people in. (Kline and Burstein 352)
This quote is explaining how even though you may not always like how you are perceived, it shows people who you really are and how you really think. It is the risk of letting people know your true colors. Sometimes that can be a good thing and sometimes people may not like the way you really are. But, in regards to the article, I think that it’s the choice of the reader and the writer. If the writer wants to let out something secret about his or her life, then that is his decision. If they don’t want anyone to know their deep dark secrets then they don’t need to get a live journal or blog. It is as simple as that.