1. Mark DiSpigna Period 4 11/30/12
Digital Citizenship, Footprint
Young people of our generation are always on the Internet. They think of the social
networking sites they use (including Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram) as a safe place,
but they do not know that everything they do or say while online is being recorded and tracked.
Several students learned this the hard way after posting comments with excitement after hearing
their class was cancelled. These students didn’t know the whole story; their teacher’s wife had to
be taken to the hospital immediately. There are many things students should never do on social
media, including sharing your opinion on teachers or bosses.
With all the illegal activity going on in our society, some people choose to post what they
do online. Doing drugs, drinking and driving, and violating property are three examples of illegal
activity and crimes that can result in major offenses of law. By uploading pictures or writing
about any of these crimes, students can be caught in a lot of trouble. Many young people choose
to share personal and confidential information through the social media.
Bullying, physical or mental, is a major issue our world is still dealing with. Right now
bullying is at its highest peak ever because most of it is now done on the Internet. This type of
bullying is called cyber bullying, and many bullies don’t know that what they say is being saved.
One boy by the name of Alexander Song posted that he wanted to “kill enough people to make it
to national news.” Alexander was arrested because of threatening violence, although he was
found with no weapons.
Another thing students or people in general should never do on the internet is post your
feeling or emotions. If you have a bad day, you should keep your feelings to yourself or someone
you really trust, but never put it online. You may post something you regret, and by that time it is
too late. Everyone who read it will know.
There are many things one person can do to make the Internet a safe place for you and
others. Certain precautions, like reading your schools student handbook, can make a big
difference and keep you out of trouble with the law. By reviewing rules and instructions on what
you should and should not do online, the social media will be more of a fun place rather than a
place filled with drama and fights. Social networks were meant for fun and convenience, and it is
your job to keep it this way.
Sources: http://mashable.com/2012/09/04/students-social-media-warnings/
