Embarassing pics. Nude/graphic pics. "Funny" videos. "Fighting" videos. Blackmail pics/videos.
It seems that Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, MySpace, blogs and other web communities/sensations have officially changed the landscape of life, sin and consequences. Back in the day the fact that "no one is perfect" simply meant "we've all made mistakes and we're glad we've learned from it and that it is in the past."
Today those decisions have new life. With posting pictures and videos online being as simple as “point and click,” pictures from all eras are popping up all over the web. You thought that “party” 20 years ago was just a fun time with friends? Now the world is the judge of that as those pics surface online. Pics of stuff being drank or smoked or activities being carried out that you no longer do or approve of are now public knowledge. This is only the beginning!
While most grown adults have a better understanding of poor decisions and consequences (hence the reason those “past” things worry them and break their hearts) teens and young adults (early-mid twenties), on the other hand, do not have a clue. They find the wealth of information and pics funny and harmless (which also means they find the potentially harmful activities recorded in those pics or videos harmless, as well).
Here are two examples, just to prove my point:
Situation #1: The Domino’s Pizza employees (one 31 yrs old, the other 32) who video taped one of them stuffing cheese in their nose and blowing it on to sandwiches, then posted it on YouTube. Both were fired as a result and are now facing possible criminal charges and a civil lawsuit. I highly doubt either would have done it, filmed it or posted it had they known THIS was going to be the outcome. They thought they were being funny and causing no harm (they state they never actually gave food to anyone like that).
Situation #2: Teachers or other professionals “letting their hair down” at bars, clubs and other after hour establishments, taking pics of themselves and posting their activities on said websites. Even though most of their activities may technically be legal, it is hard for companies to employ people to represent them that obviously do not have the same moral code that many of their clients do (especially in the case of teachers). I'd give examples, but there are far too many to mention (especially regarding teachers).
While it is easy to dismiss these two and other like scenarios as instances of people being “stupid enough” to post those types of pics or videos (an argument I’ve heard repeatedly), but what about the numerous instances where pics are posted WITHOUT your consent? The ones that were taken with a group of friends just “having fun” and then magically surface online, posted by someone who may not have the same career drive, ambition or family desires that you do. Sure you can ask the “friend” to take them down, but in many instances they don’t (or they do after it is too late). This actually just happened to an acquaintance of mine.
Parents: I am all for giving teens room to grow, make decisions and learn from their mistakes. This, however, is one of those situations where I think wisdom calls on us as parents to protect our teens (even if they do not understand it or want it). Some things you can (and ought to) do: (1) if you allow them to have a facebook, myspace, youtube, etc. profile, require that you have FULL access to their account (to include a copy of their login information), (2) be careful who they associate with and, more importantly, what they’re doing (those pics don’t disappear – they may not be on the web now, but it may only be a matter of time), (3) set up clear guidelines about pics posted of them (whether by them or friends); it’s a good idea to have them get all pics approved by you before allowing them to post them. (4) Use the two examples above (along with the HUNDREDS of others available on the web) as tools for teaching about consequences and the danger of information in our age of no-privacy. (5) As always, don’t just take kids to church, but teach them and model for them Godliness every day. Teach them the importance of 2 Tim. 2:22 and Phil. 4:8. Teach them their role in teaching others who are younger than them (Titus 2:2-8).
Image borrowed from http://www.unc.edu/~msalome/Graphics/facebook.jpg
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