WEB DISCRETION

Behind all the words, pics and vids there are people. Much like in the real world you can’t trust everyone right away. Just as you would be cautious about going to someone’s house, you shoud be so online as well.

People have been fired from jobs for things they’ve done online. Kids have been busted for pics they’ve posted of themselves doing very stupid things. Police are not web stupid. They come here too. This is not a place to be irresponsible. This is a place to have fun, learn, create, help others and do most anything you would do in the real world in public.

Often people do not realize that there are feeling and thinking humans on the other side of the page they are viewing. This lack of understanding makes it easier for some to hurt others, be cruel or lewd or just plain rude. If you would not be these things in real life, do not be them virtually.

A special note to those in the public eye: For crying out loud, people are reading and looking. Act responsibly. Teachers and school officials should assume that what you write can be read by students and their parents as well as colleagues and officials. This works for you if you think about it. Online there is a record of what you say and do. If you are doing nothing untoward, you have a record that proves just that. You’re more accountable here than in the real world. It would be good to make a mental note of that and reread it each time you think of posting something that could be misconstrued and turned around to hurt you or damage your career.

I find it a very useful mental technique to tell myself that everything I write is going to be read by my worst enemies and closest family and friends. This helps me to express myself clearly and avoid embarrassing myself.

Kiddos! You might forget in all the fun you are likely already having that you can be seen. You may want that girl or guy to be impressed with you, but selling yourself short or to the lowest bidder by giving away your personal information in text or in visuals (nude pics are super silly to post in public and most places have policies against it) is going to hurt you. Be careful. Get permission. Act as if someone you respect can see you and you will be better off. You can build great relationships online, but in all likelihood those will come when you demonstrate that you have something to offer from your mind and not your ability to party.

Parents! Get literate. Use a search engine to find out what kinds of tools you have available to control where your children go online if you are worried it. There are many kinds of filters you can use to limit access. But remind yourself. This arena is going to be a part of their futures. Like many things that can be dangerous in real life, you do not want to ban it; you want to encourage and teach responsible use. Compare it to driving. Being a bad driver can get you in trouble. It is best to know how to use the vehicle well.

There are tools to track where your children go online. Most web browsers have a history. It may be a pain in the bum to check it after your child is off the computer, but if you really want to be confident in your trust, doing that kind of work will give you relief.

But in the end, just as in the real world, if you teach your children to live by the moral and ethical codes you establish, they will likely do that online as they do in real life. Setting a good example is important. So is communication! Asking your children where they go and why they go there ( and who they talk to) could not only teach you a few things, it can give you the opportunity to build stronger relationships.

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