Social Media
When One Click Generates A Million More
A click is a simple split-second move – but if it leads to an online misstep, it can result in severe consequences.
This is the story of Anton Casey, an expatriate who was working in Singapore. But with one click, his life was changed forever when he posted a series of demeaning photographs where he called a local taxi driver a “retard” and complained about “the stench of public transport”. This ignited a furore amongst locals and foreigners alike, triggering angry replies and even death threats against him and his family. Within a few weeks, he decided to leave the country. Casey described the incident as “the worst mistake of (his) life”, one that he intensely regretted.
Most of us, upon hearing this story, will shake our heads in disapproval. Yet, if a grown man with a family and career can commit such blunders, it is not inconceivable that we may do the same if we are not careful.
Some of the things you and your children should keep in mind when going online:
- Don’t post anything offensive. Comments that are hurtful, personal attacks are considered offensive and should not be posted. It is best if you can occasionally view your children’s social media posts to ensure they are not careless or impulsive in their online activity. Also, take time to share with them stories of people who did not think properly before posting, and the consequences they had to face.
- Don’t compromise the privacy of others, especially your loved ones, online. Anton Casey’s posts included photographs of his young son seated in an MRT train and his Porsche. The degrading captions were what made people angry, but the boy also became the target of insults and threats. Although his father was at fault for the posts, the boy definitely suffered as well.
- Don’t react in anger and hate, as two wrongs do not make a right. Many Singaporeans were bitter and furious over Anton Casey’s posts, making them react with abusive and hateful language. A sizeable number of these responses were directed at innocent parties, such as his family, as well as the foreign expatriate population in Singapore. Always encourage your children to take some time to think through their feelings before responding to anything online. Strive for constructive opinions and thoughtful comments, rather than careless and emotional responses.
Tips for Parents
- Social media sites have privacy settings that allow users to decide who sees their profile and posts. It would be best to go through this function with your children once they set up any social media or networking account. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
- Here’s a guide you can use to share with your child about online sharing.
Picture taken from http://robertcatalano.com/think-before-you-post/
