Back in the day when I was a student in high school, we passed notes. That was how we talked to each other during class. We handed them off between class or after school. Those old school letters would get thrown away or saved for memories. Worst case scenario a teacher might pick it up and read it to the class!
I recently read a statistic that there are more cell phones in the world than there are toilets. In my house there are two toilets and three cell phones so that rings true here. But putting technology in the hands of teenagers can be a very dangerous thing!
According to Uncle Ben Parker, "With great power comes great responsibility."
In today's tech age, texts, messages, and social media posts become part of your digital identity. So you had a bad day and you got mad at your friend. Back in the day, write an angry letter. The friend reads it and tears it up. Now that same student might post their frustration on Twitter or Instagram. That post has now become part of their digital identity to last forever. It can be shared, retweeted, regrammed to large numbers of people in a few clicks. It can be saved to the computer of each person that views it. Even if the poster deletes it, anyone with a saved copy can repost it at any time.
I have heard of the Digital Footprint for years, the marks you leave on the digital world. Inking your Digital Tattoo is probably a better analogy. Unlike footprints, tattoos are permanent. They can sometimes be lasered off, but they will always leave a scar. Tattoos can jeopardize jobs opportunities and relationships. And many times there is great regret.
As more and more employers, colleges, and other institutions use google searches to find out more about applicants, be ever so careful about what you post. That angry post today could cost you a job tomorrow. That inappropriate picture could cost you a relationship tomorrow. Those profane words could cost you a college scholarship tomorrow. THINK before you post.
