Monday, May 16, 2011

Social Media Ruins Lives

At least that's what happened with "The Sad Story of Jessi Slaughter." And who would have thought an out of control 11 year old would have something in common with professional sports stars? It seems that the Internet in general, and social media in particular, is showing no mercy: It's taking down tweens and trash-talking celebrities at the same time.

The LA Times ran a story this morning about how pro athletes (Reggie Bush, Dwight Howard, Rashard Mendenhall) are making fools of themselves using Twitter. Sports attorney and agent Ralph Cindrich had this to say:
"A good percentage of [athletes] went to college and never graduated....You're looking at a gap at education and also a gap in propriety of knowing what is appropriate or not." 
I could be wrong, but it seems Cindrich is suggesting that some pro athletes are too stupid to know what not to post on Twitter. Do you really need to finish college to know what you should and shouldn't post online? And what about all the college graduates that  get themselves in trouble by saying what they shouldn't on the www? People sometimes make bad choices, college education or not. Shoot, I've probably posted something on this blog that, looking back, probably wasn't the best idea.

So I guess we could all do well to take a step back and remind ourselves of some "do and don'ts" when it comes to social media. Here are some common sense reminders from the appropriately named website "Common Sense Media" :
  • Think before you post or text -- a bad reputation could be just a click away. Before you press the "send" button, imagine the last person in the world that you’d want seeing what you post.
  • What goes around comes around. If you want your privacy respected, respect others' privacy. Posting an embarrassing photo or forwarding a friend’s private text without asking can cause unintended hurt or damage to others.
  • Spread heart, not hurt. If you wouldn’t say it in person, don’t say it online. Stand up for those who are bullied or harassed, and let them know that you’re there for them.
  • Give and get credit. We’re all proud of what we create. Illegal downloading, digital cheating, and cutting and pasting other people’s stuff may be easy, but that doesn’t make it right. You have the responsibility to respect other people’s creative work -- and the right to have your own work respected.
  • Make this a world you want to live in. Spread the good stuff. Create, share, tag, comment, and contribute to the online world in positive ways.
Here is my question for you, student bloggers and anyone else who cares to weigh in: What do you do to keep social media from ruining your life? How do you use it for good? How do we avoid pulling a "Jessi Slaughter," or a Reggie Bush, or a Dwight Howard? Maybe the answer is to just pull the plug altogether. It might be a lot easier. Post your thoughts on your blogs, and in the comments.

12 comments:

  1. The way I think is possible to "stay under the hype of the paparazzi" is to not be Miley Cyrus and take racy pictures and watch what you say and do or just not be famous and stay under the 'nobody' radar.

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  2. http://vegasmohawks.blogspot.com/2011/05/media-attacksis-it-possible-to-say.html

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  3. People should know the difference between right and wrong. It's really not that hard to use common sense to post on the internet. If you are a person that is going to post on the internet use common sense and post something appropriate

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  4. Yes people should be smart enough not to post something that will get them self in trouble.Come on common sense here. Don't post things inappropriate. Remember you should not post any thing that can give important info out like my name is not modest is hottest.

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  5. I think if you're careful on the internet it is a safe environment. But if your rude and post inappropriate pictures, videos, posts...etc. the internet is not a place for people to spend their daily lifes on. But I also think children and teens should be supervised while on the internet to prevent something bad happening to them or them doing something they will regret.

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  6. I actually also find it sad how Jessi did this all herself by one video chat its sad how she runied her whole life!

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  7. If you are going to be making videos on the internet I suggest making it appropriate to most of the viewers and don't make it stupid or foul mouthed .Like the story of Jessi Slaughter she screwed up but was victim of hate mails prank calls and parodys of her dads interesting speech. let this be a lesson to everybody who wants to be the next Jessi Slaughter.

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  8. "Her dad's interesting speech."

    That's definitely one way to put it. : )

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  9. The internet is a scary place some times you need to watch what you do on it. Be careful kids!

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  10. I totally agree you have to watch out with the internet.It can be useful sometimes but at the same time your using what everybody else uses and that can cause some pretty bad stuff. All I can say is watch out.

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  11. To be careful isn't being careful enough. You can't give out anything peronal. Obviously, you shouldn't be stupid and post about other poeples business. From personal experience, I know how it can be damaging to have someone else put things on te internet that are personal and none of anyones business. Celebrities and famous people need to be even more aware of the dangers of social media. They're looked up to as role models, some of them. It can also put their job and reputation on the line. I could't agree more with you, Mr. V.

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  12. I totally agree with you on this blog post because nowadays you have to be careful with the Internet(and social networks.) Alot of kids talk about wrong or inappopriate things on the Internet. This can affect others, even you. Parents have to be cautious before signing up their kids for a social network account. Let me give you some advice: POST THINGS PEOPLE WANT TO HEAR! They want to hear recent and current things, not " back in the day " stuff.Put positive things on the Internet. Also, make sure that if you are using other people's advice, pictures, or whatever else it is, make sure it's OK with that person. Social media can ruin lives, no matter what the situation is.

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