Few quotes that I have found sum up the complexities, challenges and potentials of this new information landscape better than this one from Brian Solis. I’m thinking this would be a great starting point for discussions around how to best help our students navigate these spaces effectively:
Access to information and people is intoxicating. Creating an online portrait of who we are or who we want others to see is equality alluring. But without direction, governance, and discipline, we are at risk of giving ourselves to the very networks we value rather than managing the platforms to our advantage. Our participation must be inspired by purpose and parameters. No, we are not obligated to connect with everyone who connects with us. We are obligated to maintain balance in who we are, what we value, and equally the value we invest in the communities in which we participate.