Social Networkers Could Use a Spoonful of “Cybermanners”

Recently, I have thought that a lot of Internet-related social problems could be solved by a strong dose of “cyber-manners.”

Think about it… if we all just thought for a moment before we tweet, text or post then the world may be a different place.  Well, at least the Internet would be a different place for our teens and college students to engage with others on. 

Some recent events that have sparked this conversation with friends have been:

• The case of Phoebe Prince, a beautiful teen who was cyberbullied and harassed so badly that she committed suicide. 

• The California employee sexting case where texting overage charges on an employee’s pager caused the employer to check up on texting content and found sexually charged texts.

• An article by Rachel Simmons that talks abou a new website called Formspring. This site encourages you to communicate with others using brutal honesty, in other words with honest cruelty. Use of the site has been linked to the teen suicide in Long Island of 17 year old Alexis Pilkington.  Another incredible, young girl is gone because of the way another teen treated her online.  According to Simmons, things like “I hate you” and “you’re slutty” are some of the tame examples she quotes from the site.

Really???  Really??? Would you say that in person?  Better yet, would you say that if your Mother were in the room? And if you did say that with your mother in the room, what would she do? 

My kids know what would happen if they said that to someone in my presence and they sure as heck know not to ever post something like that online! 

You see, I believe very strongly that it is my job to teach my children to be good human beings.  That means that they treat other people with respect whether they are in the room with that person or interacting with them virtually. Remember the Golden Rule? Whatever happened to that?

I am urging you all to take a moment before you post anything online. Here are a few things to consider before you hit “post” or “send.”

1. Would I say this in person?
2. Would I want my Mom/Dad/grandparents/clergy/teacher to see this?
3. If you are posting about someone else, would you want them to put this on your “Wall” or page?
4. Am I posting T.M.I? (where I am, phone number, school/team information, etc)
5. Am I posting inappropriate language or sexual content that I don’t want all to see?
6. Re-read before you post. Check for any of the above, not to mention typos. Is this how you want people to see you?

Remember, before you post, think W.W.C.M D.?  (What would Cyber Mom Do?) ; )

Please share these with your kids, other parents you know and the kids you know as well.  Our Kids need to realize that they are worthy of not being mistreated in any way.  Teens, especially girls, need a big strong dose of self esteem so they don’t take abuse and so they don’t dish it out either.

Speaking of Twitter and posting Too Much Information (T.M.I.), http://robmenow.com/  is a website I want you all to take a look at for a moment.  Have you been tempted to add that new app that shows exactly where you are tweeting from? Well, you may want to think hard about what it means to send out your exact location online in terms of your personal safety.

*For all you parents reading this blog, I would like you to take a moment and read a blog from Moira, my “Cybermum” counterpart at McAfee Australia.  She posted some excellent tips about teaching kids about what they post online.

Tracy
Follow me on Twitter @McAfeeCybermom
cybermom@mcafee.com

Tags: social media, social networking, twitter