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This will be funny.You're about to post. You think, "This is so great everyone will think this is hilarious." | But wait a second.Will you get labeled by this? What about next week when you're trying out for the team, or hanging out with friends will it still be funny? Is someone going to get hurt by this? | It's forever!Once it's on the Internet there's no taking it back. Consider if you are ready to live with it forever. Before you post, pause and make sure it is cool, legal, and something you can live with for the rest of your life! |
This will be funny.
You're about to post. You think, "This is so great everyone will think this is hilarious."
But wait a second.
Will you get labeled by this? What about next week when you're trying out for the team, or hanging out with friends will it still be funny? Is someone going to get hurt by this?
It's forever!
Once it's on the Internet there's no taking it back. Consider if you are ready to live with it forever. Before you post, pause and make sure it is cool, legal, and something you can live with for the rest of your life!
Criminal Record
Jail Time
Think it's funny to joke around about driving drunk? The authorities don't. An Oregon teen was arrested after posting on Facebook that he drove drunk and side swiped some cars. Jacob Cox-Brown says he meant it as a joke, but some did not find his message funny and shared it with police. You can read his story here and watch the news coverage below.
Labeled a Racist
A Tumblr account set up to capture reactions of Hunger Games movie fans discovered that many viewers shared racist remarks in reference to the casting for the movie. While posts and accounts may have been promptly deleted, a simple Google search can forever bring up stories like this article from Jezebel that associates individuals with comments they may forever regret. Maggie's (whose Tweet is shared here) digital profile will do little to impress college admissions counselors or employers.
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Feelings Could what I am posting be hurtful or embarrassing to another person? Remember, sharing or liking a mean post, makes you a part of the problem. | Oversharing Could this affect my ability to be accepted into college or be hired for a job? Don't be an oversharer like the people here. | Reputation Could this result in a person or organization I care about questioning my character? This includes what you like, share, and recommend. |
Feelings
Oversharing
Reputation
Be Responsible for Other's Privacy
Not only should you worry about your own privacy. It is important that you consider the privacy of others. This poster from Common Sense Media will help you do that.
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Teachers & Students Communicate with school staff and peers using accounts (i.e. school email) and platforms (i.e. a closed study group in Facebook or Edmodo, a class blog) established by the teacher or the school. In alignment with Staff Social Media Guidelines, it is best not to friend, follow, or communicate with those whom you connect for academic purposes using personal accounts. Use proper grammar. Do not tag anything (i.e. posts, photos, videos) without permission of the staff member responsible for the site. | Friends & FamilyCommunicate with friends and family using personal accounts (i.e. personal email) and platforms (i.e. Facebook, Instagram) for personal reasons. In cases where school staff or students are also considered your friend or family, check with a parent or guardian to ensure connecting on personal accounts makes sense. Your writing can be relaxed, similar to your talking or texting style but remember, anything digitally posted can be captured and shared. Know your privacy settings. | College & Career RecruitersUse professional language and create public profiles reflecting your academic, socially responsible, and professional side in places like LinkedIn, Google, Twitter, and Facebook. |
Teachers & Students
Use proper grammar. Do not tag anything (i.e. posts, photos, videos) without permission of the staff member responsible for the site.
Friends & Family
Communicate with friends and family using personal accounts (i.e. personal email) and platforms (i.e. Facebook, Instagram) for personal reasons. In cases where school staff or students are also considered your friend or family, check with a parent or guardian to ensure connecting on personal accounts makes sense.
Your writing can be relaxed, similar to your talking or texting style but remember, anything digitally posted can be captured and shared. Know your privacy settings.
College & Career Recruiters
Use professional language and create public profiles reflecting your academic, socially responsible, and professional side in places like LinkedIn, Google, Twitter, and Facebook.
Remember this:
Academic use
You have no right to privacy from teachers and administrators on anything you do for school-related purposes. When using school internet, accounts, platforms, or devices and you must abide by the Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy.
This includes the following prohibited behaviors:
- Causing harm to others or damaging property
- Gaining or attempting to gain unauthorized access to school systems
- Using school systems for commercial purposes (i.e. financial gain, business activities)
- Engaging in criminal or unlawful activities
Personal use
Personal social media use, including off-hours use, has the potential to result in disruption at school and/or the workplace, and can be in violation of policies, laws, and regulations.
Family Involvement
- Have you ever posted or witnessed a post that could be hurtful or embarrassing or might result in someone questioning your character?
- What are some ways to avoid this or address others who are impulsive posters?
Did you know?
- The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prohibits school officials from disclosing personally identifiable information from education records of students & families to third parties without parental consent.
- Parents are primarily responsible for transmitting their particular set of family values to their children, and discussing with their children what material is and is not acceptable for their children to access through the Department’s Internet Systems.
- Parents are exclusively responsible for monitoring their children's use of the Internet when the Department’s Internet Systems are accessed from home or a non-school location.
- Schools should notify parents on an annual basis if their child is invited to participate in professional social media activities. If access to a social media site will extend beyond individuals within the Department or Department school officials, then parent consent is required. Parents who have questions or concerns about their child's use of social media for school purposes should contact the school for more information.
Check these out:
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| Oops! I Broadcast It on the Internet (Grades 9 - 12) | (Grades 9 - 12) Students reflect on the different pressures teens face when it comes to editing, posting, and commenting on photos online. | The Reality of Digital Drama (Grades 6 - 8) Students draw connections between teens’ perceptions of digital drama and stereotypes of men and women on reality TV. |
(Grades 9 - 12)
Students are introduced to the benefits of sharing information online and the potential risks of sharing inappropriate information.
(Grades 9 - 12)
Students reflect on the different pressures teens face when it comes to editing, posting, and commenting on photos online.
(Grades 6 - 8)
Students draw connections between teens’ perceptions of digital drama and stereotypes of men and women on reality TV.