Blogs give us our own voice
Blogging has become a popular trend among teenagers and I think it can be beneficial.
Blogging is really a good way for me to share daily news and express my feelings. By reading blogs, even of friends that I rarely meet, I understand what's happening in their lives. We can maintain our friendships through posting comments on one another's blogs. If I get stressed about studies, I share my worries on my blog and this makes me feel relieved.
Blogging can help teens who are not always confident and courageous enough to share their real feelings with others. For shy boys, blogging provides a place to share their true thoughts. And for those interested in current issues, blogging offers a stage to express their views.
If teens use the internet wisely, blogging can enrich their social lives and help them release pent-up feelings.
Jill Lam Hoi Yi, St Antonius Girls' College
From the Editor
Thank you for your letter, Jill. Blogging is certainly a great way to express feelings, share ideas and work on your writing skills.
Blogging is also a great way to connect with people who share your ideas - although, of course, you must be careful when making online friends through any site. You don't know exactly who someone is online, so don't share personal information, or believe all they say.
Writing about a topic that you care about can also help you become more confident. An Israeli study found that blogging was particularly effective in increasing self-esteem and reducing social anxiety in teens who found it hard to interact with their peers.
Yet don't forget there is a world outside the cyber one, and we should get out and experience it once in a while.
Karly, Deputy Editor
