FRONTLINE's "Growing Up Online"

viewed video at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/kidsonline/
I chose to reflect on the viewing of FRONTLINE's 'Growing Up Online', specifically the clip entitled, "Self Expression, Trying on New Identities". I found it especially interesting because it was a way, I felt, that individuals, particularly children/young adolescence could lose themselves and visually represent the person they identified with, through social networks like MySpace.com. I was almost waiting for the opportunity in this clip, when the deemed 'inappropriateness' of Jessica's myspace photos would be discussed, and in turn, the shame and humiliation she felt yet again, that she experienced before she became Autumn Edows. The 'lesson' that her parents were rationalizing (you don't know who you can trust, and you have to be very careful about where this information goes) makes me question the censorship of identity, even if it is of a 14 year old (which I believe was how old she was when she started posting this pictures, maybe??). Would the lesson still exist if she had on slightly more clothing or was presented on her page as a 'sexy high school cheerleader' rather than pin-up-esque/gothic inspired femme? (hard to even type when talking about a 14 year old). Also, it sparked my mind to think about how or if artists are responsible for the way that images are perceived by others? Should Jessica/Autumn Edows, or other artists, have to be responsible for how their choice expression through image would/could be perceived by viewers?

Terrible to see artistic expression as an outlet for hope/uplifting joy taken away because of the chance perceptions of others. I wonder if it shouldn't be what pleases the individual creating the image, rather than the viewer, that is important.