We now live in the technology age, so we must also consider:
I will be the first to admit that I have posted stupid stuff on the internet via Facebook, but I try to learn from my mistakes. Sadly, too many people of all ages, preteens to senior citizens, do not always think before they post. Too often I see hate talk, be it against their own family, peers, classes or groups of people or against a person they are having a disagreement with. At times I also see snide comments about a particular person or inside jokes (that are not really inside but obvious) that are disgusting and hateful and so unnecessary. Why do people think this is necessary to do this? Do they feel like it makes them a bigger person? Does it make them feel stronger?
Often times I see or hear people say, 'It's my Wall, if you don't like it then delete me as a friend or don't look.' Sadly, this is not true, because 'your wall' is a public forum and many people see it and your mean words can affect families and friends of not only those that you are being mean to but to your own friends and family.
How can my mean words affect my friends and family? The answer is simple-
With all of this said, THINK before you not only speak, but before you tweet, facebook, blog or text. No matter your age you could find yourself in a situation that may tempt you to not think of other's feelings.
If you can't THINK before you speak, tweet, facebook, blog, or text, then do the next best thing and ask yourself, 'What would my Mama think?'.
Written by: Aimee Fauci
Well said! I get so annoyed by the craziness that I see via social media but I have to remember that people perceive social media way differently than I do. They shouldn't just think "What would my mama think"? They should also wonder what would Jesus think? I know that's extreme but that's real. Great post Am-dog!
ReplyDeleteOh, honey, trust me! Sometime this week or next I am going to blog about a very important topic that kind of hits home w the WWJT!
DeleteSo. Yes, this little saying it what keeps me from telling the world Just. How, Crazy. My family is. I would hate it if they got their feelings hurt. Crazy or not. Ugh. No one will know what a moldy trailer, Elvis, Choctaw Casino, and a pot belly pig that thinks it is goat have in common. Whats bad is I think if I was able to more people would check me out bwwhahaha. "Dude - you got to come read what this ladys 72 year old grandmother did". It is a Cruel World.
ReplyDeleteyou should write a book but put author 'unknown'! I would read it!
DeleteThis needs to go in an online 101 packet. :-)
ReplyDeleteit does. and in every hallway of every middle and high school.
DeleteI posted THINK in my office and in our classroom a few years ago. I referred to it often and I agree. People post random stuff without checking it out and without thought of who they are hurting.
ReplyDeleteSpatulas On Parade
This is fantastic. I am always extra aware of what I post online because I know it is permanent and things can come back to haunt you sometimes! It is definitely best to THINK before posting! :)
ReplyDeleteSo true. The internet should not be a place to hide behind a username and reject common decency. I value being courteous very highly. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThis is a fabulous post! I always get my posts checked by my editor/hubby. If he thinks it's a bad post, I don't post it. Thank you for sharing :)
ReplyDeletehttp://neatly-packaged.blogspot.com/
We have taught our 7 year old STAR - Stop, Think and React. I try to use it as well.
ReplyDeleteYes,so true. There have been so many people on my timeline putting too much of their personal life and drama out in the air for the world to see. They realize that puts you in a bad light and can ruin relationships easily. Thanks for the post. Sharing
ReplyDeleteI have also said some really stupid things on the internet before, but I think I have come a long way in that department. Once you say it, it's out there. Forever. A girl I knew growing up posts pictures of herself smoking pot on FB and Instagram ALL. THE. TIME. and it's going to come back someday. Not to mention she's well into adulthood. It's just plain stupid.
ReplyDeleteI am actually on a Facebook hiatus right now because I feel like I used it as an outlet to vent wayy too often, which made people start to assume things and started a lot of gossip and issues in my family. It has been hard, I think it's like coming off of an addiction like drugs! But it's been great to actually look up and see the world for once!
ReplyDeleteCouldn't have said it better myself! Our small town has had a lot of drama going on lately and it seems as though almost all of my FB friends have participated! So much respect lost for people! :(
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post! It's so true that you really need to think before typing sometimes. Once you put it out there, you cant take it back!
ReplyDeleteI don't have much to say to this other than "word". It's interesting how much you find out about people these days with Social Media.
ReplyDeleteI was luck to grow up in an age WITHOUT social media - it allowed me to think about what I was saying before I said it - which is now reflected in my social media. Speaking of which, I saw your pages tab, and you need some social media follow buttons - it will help you to declutter! :)
ReplyDeleteVery thoughtful post. I think twitter/fb are probably the worst for this because you can post something so quickly and not really think about the ramifications of it.
ReplyDeleteSince I am now a business owner, I really watch what I post. I always try to follow the THINK guidelines for posting.
ReplyDeleteI use the THINK acronym with my kids. It's a great reminder, thanks.
ReplyDeleteI feel like everyone has one friend who has alot of " word vomit" on facebook. This is a great reminder.
ReplyDeleteMy rule has been, if I don't want my grandma to read it, don't post it. My grandma just happens to be my friend on Facebook. And she reads my blog!
ReplyDeleteYES! I love this, I need to print this for somewhere in our house.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good set of rules to go by! I see so many things posted on line that just make me stop and think "Really?!?!?!"
ReplyDeleteVery true. However, my mom and I are very close and there is very little that I would ever think to say even in my craziest mindset that it would be something I wouldn't want my mom to know I thought
ReplyDeleteAgreed, 100%. Another social media pet peeve of mine is when people complain or gripe and air their dirty laundry. Nine times out of ten, it's because they want the other "party" to see it. Ughhh. Wears me out.
ReplyDeleteI can sort of agree with these, but my mom and I are so close, I can say pretty much anything to her, and we're always fine the next day, haha. I think sometimes people need to just vent, and Social Media is a great way to do that!
ReplyDeleteI love this. I can't say it enough. I completely agree 100% with all of the points you made. Sometimes people use social media for the wrong reasons. I hate when people get mean and start saying things because they are hiding behind a computer screen. They have no problem sharing all of their drama, creating new drama, and starting drama for no reason. Social media has really gotten crazy in that sense.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good point. I hate it when people share their drama all over the place. Have some tact!
ReplyDeleteMy mother always said "if you have nothing nice to say, then don't say anything at all". I've always lived by that but sometimes it can be tough because you just need to vent. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree. I think people these days don't think how their tweet or FB status can hurt others. Great post.
ReplyDeleteI tell my teen to be very careful w/her Facebook. She tends to get sidetracked by drama from time to time w/other girls' high school drama. ;)
ReplyDeleteso true. I'm so glad to see this post and hope others will heed it's warning.
ReplyDeleteThese are things I teach my kids. I need to print them out and hang them on their walls so they remember.
ReplyDeleteAmen! I have been hearing this a lot lately (T.H.I.N.K.) and I am thankful for the reminder. I'm usually always very careful (learned that as a little one) but sometimes our emotions get the best of us.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree! I often cringe at what some people post online, but a lot of it is done as a result of heightened emotion. (I think, anyway.) My parents read my blog, so you better believe I watch my mouth :)
ReplyDeleteSo true! This is a great reminder. I often try and think about my motivation on posting things on Facebook. Am I bragging or genuinely excited? Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteSuch an important reminder. It's especially true when everything becomes so public these days via Facebook!
ReplyDeleteI wonder all the time what people are thinking with the things they post online - for the whole world to see...but that may be the problem. They AREN'T thinking before they post. I know how permanent the internet is, and don't want something brought back up years down the road so I am very cautious with what I share.
ReplyDeleteSadly, some people don't care or would never learn. Everything on the internet has a public aspect to it. Sure we all make mistakes but habitual abusers ether don't care or are clueless.
ReplyDeleteSo many people go online and think they can say or do anything they want because they are anonymous. What people fail to realize are that COMPANIES are starting to google perspective employees. That's what people need to keep in mind!
ReplyDelete