There was an interesting article yesterday in the New York Times Well Blog discussing the way in which the Internet might be contributing to irresponsible behavior among teens. The article specifically cites websites like YouTube where videos of dangerous pranks and stunts can be shared with a virtual audience of millions.

From the article:

“Teenagers have always been prone to taking foolish risks (thanks partly to the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which governs decision-making and is still developing in adolescence). But with the rise of sites like YouTube and Facebook, these experts say, teenagers now face virtual peer pressure to emulate all kinds of dangerous stunts and dares, and post them online.”

Some of the stunts discussed in the article include elaborate fireworks displays, taking shots with flaming basketballs, and the so-called “Choking Game,” in which kids choke themselves or one another to the point of unconsciousness to experience a temporary high. A quick search on YouTube will reveal hundreds of videos of each of these stunts.

There was an upside to the article however. If an adult or authority figure intervenes online, young daredevils are more likely to take down the offensive content or refuse to engage in similar stunts in the future.

“Dr. Megan A. Moreno, an adolescent medicine specialist at the University of Wisconsin, recently conducted a study in which a MySpace persona called Dr. Meg reached out to teenagers who used their pages to boast of drinking or sexual exploits. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” asked Dr. Meg, who went on to explain why they might want to remove the information. The note also warned them about the risks of sexually transmitted diseases.

Teenagers contacted by Dr. Meg were twice as likely to remove references to sex or substance use during the next three months as those who weren’t contacted, according to the study, published in The Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.”

It is critically important for parents of teens to take time out of their day to talk to their children about their Internet use and to monitor their child’s online reputation regularly. Aside from the practical concern of ensuring that one’s child doesn’t engage in physically dangerous activities, parents should also monitor their children online for anything that might cause lasting reputation damage.