<p>I have a few friends who go to CTY and seemed to enjoy their time there (at JHU site).</p>
<p>I had a Facebook account for about a year before I finally quit. I quit because I wanted something more real and tangible about my friendships. My CTY friends were no less crazy than they were in real life, so I wasn’t really suprised. When I deleted my account, my friendships got MUCH better, and much more intentional. I love talking to my friends! Since Im not around to read an update every 10 minutes, I actually get to hear some great stories and details when we talk or email one another. </p>
<p>(It’s also possible that I’m just a jerk, and my experience is entirely unique.)</p>
<p>You don’t sound like a jerk at all, Warbler. I think my daughter feels the same way about Facebook (and CTY). :)</p>
<p>@warblerinlove, I really like what you said! My daughter told me stories like one of her friend made very “close” friend on facebook in the past year. But when they finally got to meet at CTY, the two didn’t talk to each other much. since then my daughter’s friend was disillusioned. It’s strange. </p>
<p>@EllieMom, what do you mean? “I think my daughter feels the same way about Facebook (and CTY)” I’m curious.</p>
<p>Just that sometimes Facebook tends to be a very superficial way of interacting. She enjoys being with friends when they’re doing things together or “really talking” but truly does not like Facebook. She’s a little conflicted because it’s harder to keep in touch with friends who aren’t from our town without being on Facebook, but she texts and emails. It takes more effort, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.</p>
<p>As far as CTY, I just don’t think there is necessarily one type of CTY kid. DD was a little worried before she went last year that she wouldn’t be smart or “interesting” enough because she’s serious and shy and sort of conventional. She was happy to find that the kids who go to CTY are real people who don’t necessarily fit the stereotype. There’s room for all types there.</p>
<p>@EllieMom,
That is so true. I think things like facebook actually hinders our children’s social skill. One of my D.'s facebook friend even put it on facebook - they prefer to do online contact because they don’t have to have eye contact. They do this for a long time, they don’t know how to really interact with people in real life anymore. It is scary.</p>
<p>@JHS, the story is very scary!
D. went to CTY this year. The passion that kids show to that program could be touching or could be scary as well. Some of them have no life outside CTY and somehow the whole internet thing makes it worse. some have severe depression, for reasons I can’t tell, after CTY session. Yes it’s PCTYD but they dwell on that and take pride in it. I don’t really think it’s healthy. Our society is not formed by just CTYers and CTYers are not necessarily better than others. </p>
<p>Of course I can’t say these in front of D.</p>
<p>I can tell you why PCTYD occurs even among pretty normal well adjusted kids. During those 3 weeks kids can get very close to one another and they hate for the session to end.</p>
<p>I actually think the internet makes it better, through the miracle of skype, google groups and FB they can stay in touch with their CTY buddies throughout the year.</p>
<p>I used to debate whether kids’ facebook and other social media activities should be monitored. Sometimes I thought they should, sometimes I felt the kids should be trusted. esp. they are CTYers and smart and should know what’s good for them, etc. </p>
<p>I now firmly believe they should be seriously monitored. I just found something horrible! I told my daughter you better know your parents may look at your stuff. If it’s something you don’t want us to see, you better not put it there - both parents are very open minded. we would not be scared and mad, unless it’s something absolutely bad and disgusting.</p>
<p>@Maxwell, something your daughter posted?</p>
<p>Thank God it’s not things from my daughter but from her friends. I bet no parent in this forum can stand that kind of insults to family life, teacher, parents, and everything, and this is not just from one person. If I were the parent of these kids, I’d feel greatly offended and would definitely take action. and what I’m also certain is, in one or two years, these kids look at what they posted, they themselves will be humilated greatly. Sometimes it’s good to force them out of the internet so they won’t do the stupid things that’ll make them regret in maybe even 1 or 2 years. that’s just my opinion and that’s what we decide to do, even though my daughter is not one of the gang, yet. btw, it’s the cty gang.</p>