i-Grrrl, "The Internet"
 Parents and teachers know. Researchers, journalists, and education specialists know. Girls themselves know. Getting girls online at an early age -- and keeping them there -- can help fortify them against the devastating loss of self-esteem that generally occurs once they hit puberty. Online, girls find resources galore geared to their particular needs and interests. They find chat rooms, surveys, and discussion groups that give them space to voice their opinions and ideas. They find encouragement and support from other girls and adults.
Of course, there's a catch -- in order to find these things they have to get online to look.
Unfortunately, while it's clear that they benefit from frequent use of the Internet, it's not quite so clear that they, on the whole, are interested in using it. Despite the large number of "girl-only" Web sites and the increasing presence of programs and classes designed specifically to interest early adolescent and teenage girls in technology, some evidence (evidence 2, evidence 3 evidence 4) suggests that girls still get left behind when it comes to familiarity with -- and willingness to use -- computers.
But, as one girls-only Web site puts it, "There's never been a better time for girls to start making some noise1x The Internet gives girls a convenient outlet to do just that. Any girl with Internet access at home, at school, or at the library can shout her message out to as many people as she wants to. Further, on the Internet, she can be anyone she wants to." The trick is getting and keeping her interested in the online world. There are a few simple steps that parents -- and others who care for adolescent girls -- can take to encourage girls' virtual presence.
First, encourage girls to find sites they like and go there often. A few places to start include: newmoon, good especially for creative girls and those who like writing; webgrrls, a site geared mostly toward women, but also helpful for older teenagers or mothers guiding their daughters through the online world; girltech, a good site for girls older and younger, as well as their parents, offering links to over 300 girl-related sites and a unique search engine that draws upon only "girl-powered" sites; chickclick, another website geared toward older teenagers and young women.
Also -- especially for younger or more computer-shy girls -- it is important for adults to take the time to model the steps of getting online, using a search engine, and perusing the various Web sites called up in a search. To find sites that will be of interest to girls -- and also to their parents and teachers -- try entering "girls and technology," "girls and internet," or "girls online" at any search engine. Then walk girls through each search result, discussing the various aspects of the sites, and offering and listening to opinions about them. Point out the strengths and weaknesses of each one, and be sure girls master the concept of links -- the more boldly they use links, the more likely they are to find interesting Web sites that stimulate them or that allow them to express their ideas and opinions.
Be sure to bookmark at least a few sites that look intriguing, comfortable, exciting, or challenging, so that girls can go back easily and explore on their own. Finding "a site of one's own," as it were -- a "place" that girls can return to frequently -- will not only reduce the potential sense of the Internet as a dizzyingly huge, unmanageable place, but also will reinforce girls' sense of familiarity -- and therefore confidence -- with technology.
For a thorough list of girl-related sites, including some with excellent links, go to rice.edu Links. Other worthwhile URLs to visit include: health.org/gpower; girlsite; girlnet; rice.edu; yale.edu/tap-junior; gurl; her-online; cybergrrl. Whatever sites girls choose to go to, they should realize the importance of their presence online. Adults can reinforce this knowledge by presenting the Internet as a tool at girls' disposal, and as a forum for their voices.
By Amy Lynn Rosenberg
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