Yesterday, my 8 year old daughter, Rosie was telling me about something that happened in the group of girls that hang around together during school recess. Â Two of her friends had gotten into an argument and it wasn’t clear to her which side of the fight she should take and if she should get involved at all. Â You’ve experienced that too, haven’t you? Â It’s not always easy to tell what’s right and what’s wrong. Â Unfortunately, everything isn’t as black and white in real life as it is in a television sitcom.
I told Rosie that something I always used when confronted with a question of right vs wrong was, to picture my decision being a headline in a newspaper. If you are willing to tell the world what you did, then it’s probably the right thing. If you would be embarrassed for your mom, or your boss, or your friend to read it about it in the newspaper than don’t do it. Â Along those same lines, I told her that if anyone tells you not to tell your mom something, it is usually going to be because it’s something wrong.
But what about sharing on social media? Â When is it okay to share a picture, a thought, an experience with your friends on Facebook or Twitter? Â If your privacy settings are tight, isn’t it okay to express frustration with the car driving too slowly that got in your way, or laugh at the girl in the ugly outfit? Â They won’t read it. Â Right? Â First, it’s not all about “getting caught”. Â What you say, whether you get caught or not is a reflection of your character. Â The girl in the ugly outfit might never read your comments, or someone you think is a friend, might take a screenshot and share it with her. Â Regardless, you are now a person that thinks it’s funny to embarrass someone else.
In today’s world, it’s also about safety.  With digital technology, it’s easy for strangers to find out where you are and when.  Something as innocent as an app that “checks in” tells the world, where you are (and where you aren’t, perhaps leaving your home empty).  National PTA,  a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education, has partnered with LifeLock, the leading provider of proactive identity theft protection services, to share ways for families to dialogue about using digital tools safely.  They want families to communicate about positive, safe decisions as part of a happy, healthy lifestyle.
Starting tomorrow, September 15th, social media users of Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, are invited to share a photo, using the hashtag #ShareAwesome of:
- a smart, safe decision
- an uplifting accomplishment
- or a positive action for the good of others.
Students who enter a photo between September 15 – November 30, 2014 will be eligible to win fantastic prizes, including tablets and a $2,500 scholarship! Visit ShareAwesomeNow.org to learn more.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.