Dangers: Fitting In

Peer pressure has been a part of humanity that dates back to organized society. we've tailored and tuned it up to a science since the 50's, but the concept is the same.

In order to fit in, you have to assimilate in some way to what has been defined as normal or slightly better than normal. Even the non conformists were defined by their refusal to conform to specific things in a certain uniform manner. Other than creating a larger number of smaller groups of peer pressure, It accomplished nothing.

That being said, quiet research on the latest facet of normality can be achieved by children w/o supervision.

The phrase "quiet research" can be understood as anything done with a search engine that nobody knows about. It could be as simple as understanding the new iphone that somebody at school is bragging about. It could also be as simple as getting up early to use the computer to find out what a gang bang is. The point is that "quiet research" is often key in finding out how to "fit in".

The phrase "latest facet of normality" is generic for the above reasons. Whatever they happen to be searching for, be it harmless or unsafe, they will find it and it will change on a daily basis. The most consistent aspect of "peer pressure" is that it will generally escalate before it fades away.

The moral of the story: Kids are driven to fit in. They are also able to explore every aspect (good and bad) of their peer pressures in private and without guidance.