There is a distinct unease about the impact of the Internet on all aspects of current life. It is characteristic that the more we gain experience online, the more we do online. This is nowhere more evident than in the 'teenage' demographic, homeschooled or otherwise, who have virtually grown up on the Internet. Their ease of use of this medium, knowledge of online multi-tasking, high-speed access, wireless networks, linked cell-phones and other current technology is formidable. This group is always 'connected'. This makes for blurred boundaries between, home, educational settings, work and leisure time.

At times the wholescale marketing of the Internet to adolescents and young adults appears to be the equivalent of handing them the keys to the family car before they have had any training in driving techniques, and more importantly in safety procedures. The ease and familiarity bred from constant use is of concern, and organizations such as I-Safe and Hacker Highschool assist students, parents, schools and community members in understanding and appreciating Internet safety awareness.

Many schools and particularly post-secondary institutions are playing catch-up regarding currency of equipment, speed of access, and accessibility (unfiltered in the community and home settings and filtered at school). This cohort, upon entering the post-secondary educational environment have quite different expectations than earlier cohorts. Levin, in his 2002 report for the Pew Internet & American Life Project defines this as a digital disconnect - the gap between the Internet knowledge of students and their schools. [18]

Online Learning: Experience