Three pieces for you this Monday morning: an interesting look at how educators are grappling with pre-teen adoption of social media and how to safeguard them as they do so; a moving presentation from Roger Ebert about the impact that technology has had on his life, and a Democratic Representative delivering a presentation in the House, seemingly aimed at the YouTube audience.

Fast Company: Social Media Abstinence Education Is Not Working For Pre-Teens

43% of 9 to 12 year-olds in Europe admit to having a Facebook account. As a result, the U.K. department of education is recommending that schools teach children how to use social networks, rather than banning them.

Fast Company looks at how Facebook’s ban on pre-teen users is failing, and the implications for educators.

To ban or to teach?

TED Talks: Roger Ebert – Remaking my voice

Simultaneously funny and touching, Roger Ebert’s tale of how technology has allowed him to retain his voice after losing the ability to speak is inspirational, and should make all of us grateful to live with the tools we do.

Speaking without speaking

Rep. Crowley (D-NY) – Speechless

Cameras were introduced into legislative forums to broaden access to the political process. Instead, they have turned debates into grandstanding for TV, and now – with the growth of social media – into grandstanding for the Internet.

We’re now witnessing politics for YouTube. When Rep. Joe Crowley delivered his “speechless” speech earlier this month it wasn’t aimed at other representatives; nor was it aimed at TV viewers (there’s no three-second soundbites there for the news shows). This was made for YouTube, and on YouTube it took off.

Is this the first presentation of its type in American politics? I very much doubt it, and it’s certainly not going to be the last, but it’s a great example of the way that politics is changing as the technology around it does the same.

Speechless: Politics for YouTube