Everyone is on board cyber space where anything and everything goes. So, what is that particular medium that every youth seemingly has or at least, has heard and read of? That would be, a blog!
A blog is basically an online web diary where the author writes about anything under the sun. For starters, one must identify the use of a blog which includes, media blogs where videos, music, sketches or photos can be posted. There are also blogs that touch on specific topics such as fashion, entertainment, travel, politics and education. But for the most common one, it would be for personal use where daily occurrences are penned down. This is what most youngsters have their blogs for.
The very first thing that people who blog should understand is that the content they publish will be public. The rule in mind is to blog with responsibility and integrity. For example in 2005, three Singaporean bloggers were charged in court for posting racist remarks on their own personal blogs and a forum page. Issues regarding race and religion in
No doubt, with the subsequent and immense growing popularity of blogs, voices of the youngsters are echoing much louder. Views on formerly taboo topics such as sex and politics, and matters concerning the youths are expressed with much more impact and enthusiasm.
Blogs are also an excellent way of sharing knowledge and information amongst the youth. With so much leisure time spent on the Internet, most youths spend their time blog hopping gathering updates, even on another stranger’s life!
Blogs can also be a platform to help writers get notice. Profiles of writers are steadily built up. Slowly but surely, great opportunities may surface for them. A fine example is Miss Wendy Cheng, better known as Xiaxue, who started blogging in 2003, has turned into a full time celebrity blogger.
However, for something that can be started so easily, it definitely takes plenty of effort and time to maintain. Many follow the trend of owning a blog in the cyber world; yet, they do not understand that it is almost like opening a savings account, where you have to put in money, in this case, time and thought to turn it into something substantial.
It is also difficult to keep your blog insightful and interesting for readers. There is this skill that needs to be mastered to captivate your readers on every single post that you give to make them come back for more.
Blogs are unquestionably great spaces for youths to express themselves in this new era. With an ever-changing society, opinions change too, but words will always retain their power to those who read and comprehend them. With a touch of discipline and uprightness, blogs can and are essentially, the voice of the youths.
By Janice Chen
