Schools generally have been unable to keep up with the rapid technical changes in modern society. As a result, primary school age children worldwide are becoming self-taught independent e-learners and the gap between what they know and are able to do exceeds the learning outcomes for their schools' ICT (information communication technology) curriculum. The culture of text messaging is based upon a new form of language that does not develop or reinforce the language curriculum taught in schools. An issue of increasing concern for parents and teachers is that the Internet provides a level of freedom to young learners that have the potential to put them at risk. Today's independent e-learners of the Internet world are potentially vulnerable, because parents and teachers are unable to guide and supervise the contents that students are exploring. The digital world for all its benefits limits opportunities for young people to develop the social interaction skills that are critical to their overall emotional and social development. (Contains 3 tables.)