Even now more than ever, public schools have become a breeding ground for social conformity.  Children are taught a strict curriculum of classics and algorithms that condition them for their future.  The public school system has always been old fashioned and behind the times.  Computer labs are strictly used for typing up papers and internet access is heavily monitored.  The system needs to evolve just as the culture outside of it is evolving.   Education in new media is vital to our nation's public schools for several reasons.  While new media has a lot of definitions, for the purpose of this essay new media will be defined as the system of social networking, blogging, and other useful internet resources.  A lot of students are already using these tools at home, however, their implementation isn't always positive.  By teaching new media we can help shape positive citizens of the internet.  Using these tools effectively also gives students a chance to express their creativity and knowledge in new ways.  New media is still evolving and if we do not educate younger generations now progression will be much slower.

Almost daily the press digs up a new story on cyber bullying.  By allowing our nation's youth to run wild on a platform with no rules we've essentially said that this kind of behavior is okay.  Not only are people hurt in the process but it also gives the internet a bad reputation.  Nowadays parents are taught to live in fear of what their children might be doing online, without any interference from the public education system.  We've trusted them to educate our children about history, science, sex, arithmetic, and art, why not new media as well?  If schools were to start teaching teens about these valuable resources before they find them on their own, a new wave of internet citizens would burst forth from the next generation.  One can dream of a world with fewer trolls and more karma, and I think by educating children from a young age we can create a more positive internet environment.  

 High school students hardly ever get the opportunity to express themselves in creative ways except through electives.  However, to be truly competitive these days, students are not given the option to explore the arts.  Instead they overexert themselves in all AP courses, doubling up on subjects, just so that college recruiters will take notice.  New media must become part of the curriculum instead of a simple side project.  While I've been mostly talking about public education, I do think that colleges need to take new media education into account as well.  Blogging gives teachers an easy interface to view essays and critical responses, tweeting gives students a chance to respond outside of the classroom, and  From personal experience, I've learned that utilizing these features can open up new doors in the mind, which is the whole point of a college education.  It's been shown that having a creative outlet can enhance learning, and why not one that can also enhance our future as well.

The internet is relatively new in the grand scheme of things.  There have been many years of public education before the internet even existed.  Pupils are taught the barebones of learning before they attempt higher education and I believe that new media and technology in general needs to be included.  The future of our world is being shaped by new inventions and the internet is becoming an important frontier.  If we do not educate younger generations soon, progression will be hindered.  By teaching them ahead of time about these tools, we are not only aiding them, but we are also creating a better future for ourselves.