We don't have to talk about how big social media has become in the last decade or so. Many teenagers, twenty-somethings, and even older folks cannot live without Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites, PG-rated and otherwise, as well as blogs like this one. Still, one would like to think there is a balance between having a social life online and having a true "private" life. There are some of us adults who have no problem letting the world see virtually everything about their life, even as far as who we may share our intimate life with and maybe what underwear he is she is (or is not) wearing today. Most of us prefer to not be THAT open, on social media or otherwise, for various reasons.
Is there a line between being social online and the right to privacy, even if you are a teenager? I recently read a story on msnbc.com about a teenage girl who was forced by administrators at her school to allow them to access her Facebook page and review all of the information on her page last fall. The article did not list a reason for such, such as seeking information about (cyber) bullying that this student was involved in, or something similar. The school officials just did it. More importantly, they did such without informing her parents beforehand nor having them present during the questioning and so on. The child's mother finally chose to speak out, while noting that other parents in the school were...unwilling to speak up. What the hell?
First, let me be clear. Bullying in all forms, including cyber-bullying, is a major hot-button issue today. This is a old issue, but the Internet has cast new attention on it, which is good. But the Internet also gives new options to do it or be a victim of it, which is not good. Bullying in all forms is wrong. Period. Many of us dealt with this as kids. I did to a extent myself, but I was a loner to a extent. Most of us are not that fortunate. Hazing (which is physical and/or emotional abuse done during private recruitment and/or initiation activities), which usually occurs in fraternities, sororities and other social groups is wrong too. It is a "adult" form of bullying, and is a act that has been banned by many of these groups, including my fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi. None of it is right.
I support doing what needs to be done to stop bullying and hazing, especially that which causes injury and sometimes death. Some kids and adults don't get it. But I digress. Does a teenager, much less a adult, have a right to privacy when it comes to social media and the Internet? Yes! But, teenagers must still answer to their parent(s) and legal guardians when it comes to this. I am not saying that parents should have their kid's passwords to their Facebook page. If the kid freely gives it to them..good. If the parent is also on Facebook, and the child friends them with full access to what is posted....great. My daughter has me, her mother AND her grandfather as friends on her Facebook page. No problem. There is a line to be drawn, though.
I don't think kids should be on Twitter or Facebook during school hours. School is supposed to be about learning. Before school or after school....okay. Schools should do what they can to prevent social media use during school hours, to help promote learning AND to prevent cyber-bullying. School officials should not have the right to force a child to give up access to their social media accounts at school, if the parent or guardian is not in the room next to the child when the request is made. And with good reason! To do otherwise is criminal, in my opinion, and it scars the child for LIFE.And maybe the parent too. School officials SHOULD be available for tips, anonymous or otherwise, about bullying of all kinds without reprisals, as should parents, coaches and other adults. Period. Any questions?
Is there a line between being social online and the right to privacy, even if you are a teenager? I recently read a story on msnbc.com about a teenage girl who was forced by administrators at her school to allow them to access her Facebook page and review all of the information on her page last fall. The article did not list a reason for such, such as seeking information about (cyber) bullying that this student was involved in, or something similar. The school officials just did it. More importantly, they did such without informing her parents beforehand nor having them present during the questioning and so on. The child's mother finally chose to speak out, while noting that other parents in the school were...unwilling to speak up. What the hell?
First, let me be clear. Bullying in all forms, including cyber-bullying, is a major hot-button issue today. This is a old issue, but the Internet has cast new attention on it, which is good. But the Internet also gives new options to do it or be a victim of it, which is not good. Bullying in all forms is wrong. Period. Many of us dealt with this as kids. I did to a extent myself, but I was a loner to a extent. Most of us are not that fortunate. Hazing (which is physical and/or emotional abuse done during private recruitment and/or initiation activities), which usually occurs in fraternities, sororities and other social groups is wrong too. It is a "adult" form of bullying, and is a act that has been banned by many of these groups, including my fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi. None of it is right.
I support doing what needs to be done to stop bullying and hazing, especially that which causes injury and sometimes death. Some kids and adults don't get it. But I digress. Does a teenager, much less a adult, have a right to privacy when it comes to social media and the Internet? Yes! But, teenagers must still answer to their parent(s) and legal guardians when it comes to this. I am not saying that parents should have their kid's passwords to their Facebook page. If the kid freely gives it to them..good. If the parent is also on Facebook, and the child friends them with full access to what is posted....great. My daughter has me, her mother AND her grandfather as friends on her Facebook page. No problem. There is a line to be drawn, though.
I don't think kids should be on Twitter or Facebook during school hours. School is supposed to be about learning. Before school or after school....okay. Schools should do what they can to prevent social media use during school hours, to help promote learning AND to prevent cyber-bullying. School officials should not have the right to force a child to give up access to their social media accounts at school, if the parent or guardian is not in the room next to the child when the request is made. And with good reason! To do otherwise is criminal, in my opinion, and it scars the child for LIFE.And maybe the parent too. School officials SHOULD be available for tips, anonymous or otherwise, about bullying of all kinds without reprisals, as should parents, coaches and other adults. Period. Any questions?
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