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Secret lives: The
worry of teens online

PBS's 'Frontline' confirms parents are in the dark

By Diego Vasquez
Jan 22, 2008

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From rock 'n' roll to rap to ripped jeans, American teenagers have embraced trend after trend that's confounded their parents, dating back decades and decades.

But perhaps none has been quite as all-encompassing, and potentially dangerous, as the online movement that has enveloped the current generation of teenagers almost since birth. Tonight at 9 p.m. the PBS public affairs show “Frontline” examines the impact of the web on teenagers and the challenges parents face in both monitoring and measuring the potential for danger for their kids in a world of social networking and instant messaging.

As “Frontline” explains, parents often have no idea what their kids are up to online, as in the case of a shy girl who adopted a new online identity and began posing for provocative pictures. Her parents were shocked to discover what their daughter had been up to, which was brought to their attention by her school principal.

Of course there are also many misconceptions about the internet and its effect on teens. While certainly stories about child predators and cyber-bullying can be frightening, it can also give a social outlet to many kids who desperately need it, connecting them with new friends and like-minded peers.

Many kids claim that because they’ve grown up online, they’re savvier than their parents and have enough sense to know when something feels wrong. Several “Frontline” experts agree.

PBS doesn’t tend to draw the same viewers as hits like Fox’s “House” or NBC’s “Biggest Loser,” so competition in the hour won’t much matter.

But the compelling subject matter, and fears of parents who wonder what their kids are doing, could draw in some people who rarely watch public TV. No doubt this documentary will have a long life online and in schools because of its important subject matter.

A look at this week’s top TV draws
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22
Time	Network	Program	Description
8 p.m.	TV Guide Channel	“Academy Awards Nomination Special” (A)	A rundown of this year’s nominees, hosted by Maria Sansone.
8 p.m.	Fox	“American Idol” (R)	More auditions. How will ratings hold up?
8 p.m.	NBC	“The Biggest Loser” (R)	A plan to rig a weigh-in is revealed.
9 p.m.	CW	“One Tree Hill” (D)	Brooke works toward opening her new store, and Nathan helps a high school basketball player.
9 p.m.	ESPN	“College Basketball” (S)	SEC rivalry game between Tennessee and Kentucky.
10 p.m.	NBC	“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (D)	Here’s one you don’t see everyday: a sperm bank is robbed.
10 p.m.	Bravo	“Real Housewives of Orange County” (R)	Season finale. The women attend Lauri’s wedding.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23
Time	Network	Program	Description
8 p.m.	Fox	“American Idol” (R)	Still more auditions.
8 p.m.	ABC	“Wife Swap” (R)	A magician’s wife trades places with an uptight micromanager.
9 p.m.	CBS	“Criminal Minds” (D)	After searching a storage unit the team thinks it may be on to a serial killer.
9 p.m.	Fox	“Moment of Truth” (G)	Series premiere. Contestants answer questions while hooked to a lie detector. True or false: This show will only do well because it airs behind “Idol?”
10 p.m.	MTV	“Real World/Road Rules Challenge” (R)	Season premiere. The new season takes place in Puerto Vallarta.
10 p.m.	CBS	“CSI: NY” (D)	The investigators try to determine if two nearby deaths are related.
10 p.m.	ABC	“Cashmere Mafia” (D)	Mia tries to make Jack jealous by going on a blind date.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24
Time	Network	Program	Description
7 a.m.	NBC	“Today” (N)	Actress Diane Lane guests.
8 p.m.	ABC	“Ugly Betty” (D)	Marc helps Amanda track down her biological father.
9 p.m.	NBC	“Celebrity Apprentice” (R)	The contestants try to push tickets to Broadway shows.
9 p.m.	BBC America	“Last Restaurant Standing” (R)	Series premiere. Nine couples with little restaurant experience compete. How long before an American rip-off?
9 p.m.	ESPN	“Winter X-Games” (S)	The 12th annual event kicks off from Aspen, Colo.
10 p.m.	ABC	“Big Shots” (D)	James and Katie have relationship issues and Brody tries to keep a secret from Janelle.
10 p.m.	VH1	“Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” (R)	Some of the celebrities start to show progress, while others continue to get into it with Dr. Drew.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25
Time	Network	Program	Description
7 a.m.	ABC	“Good Morning America” (N)	Famous chef Cat Cora guests.
8 p.m.	NBC	“1 vs. 100” (G)	Oscar the Grouch and Playboy Playmates make up part of the mob.
9 p.m.	CBS	“Garth Brooks: Live in L.A.!” (A)	The country legend performs at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
9 p.m.	USA	“Monk” (D)	Monk looks for a murderer who seems to only kill people named Julie.
9:30 p.m.	ESPN	“Tennis” (S)	The Australian Open women’s final.
10 p.m.	NBC	“Las Vegas” (D)	R&B singer Ne-Yo makes a guest appearance.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26
Time	Network	Program	Description
1 p.m.	CBS	“College Basketball” (S)	Good non-conference matchup between Indiana and Connecticut.
3 p.m.	CBS	“PGA Golf” (S)	Third-round coverage of the Buick Invitational, Tiger Woods’ first event of the year.
8 p.m.	Fox	“Cops” (R)	Among other things, cops in Cincinnati break up a fight.
8 p.m.	NBC	“Figure Skating” (S)	Women’s final at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships from St. Paul.
8 p.m.	CBS	“Super Bowl’s Greatest Commercials” (A)	The annual look at the big game’s best ads.
8 p.m.	TLC	“Miss America Live 2008” (A)	The 87th annual event, live from Las Vegas.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27
Time	Network	Program	Description
1 p.m.	CBS	“College Basketball” (S)	In-state rivalry game between Big Ten foes Michigan and Michigan State.
1 p.m.	ABC	“NBA Basketball” (S)	KG and the Celtics take on the Magic in Orlando.
3 p.m.	CBS	“PGA Golf” (S)	Final round of the Buick Invitational, which Tiger has won three straight years.
7 p.m.	NBC	“Figure Skating” (S)	More coverage of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, this time on the men’s side.
8 p.m.	Fox	“The Simpsons” (C)	Marge and Homer flash back to their dating days.
9 p.m.	Showtime	“The L Word” (D)	Tina’s new girlfriend makes Better jealous.
10:30 p.m.	E!	“Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood” (R)	Snoop takes the kids to his old Long Beach neighborhood to help them better appreciate what they have.
A = awards show or special, C = comedy, D = drama, DD = daytime drama, G = game show, K = kids, M = movie, N = news/documentary, R = reality, S = sports, T = talk/variety show.