Social Media Safety
Social media, like having lots of money, does not corrupt people. It merely reveals the corruption that already exists.
Social Media Safety Day, 11 February 2020, highlighted the precautions and roles that you and I need to take to ensure personal security, while enjoying the interactions and benefits of the internet life.
The speedy advancement of technology puts people in a number of unique situations that we, the users, don't yet fully understand. The first of these predicaments is the power our hand-held device has to isolate us from the people that are in our physical and personal surroundings, while exposing us to a community of strangers as we engage from many miles away.
Social media manipulates our inherent need for validation and support from our community to include the inauthentic and often cruel praise of the internet audience. The "likes and shares" of strangers on social media start to replace the affection and affirmations of loved ones that know us personally. People start to choose the passing acknowledgements of "followers" to shape their identity and to create "highs." This pseudo-approval is short lived and out of context with daily life, resulting in many "lows." Internet audiences dont know your story. They are unaware of your values, your hopes and struggles. Like a sick circus ringmaater, they crack the whip and demand: " dance monkey, dance for me."
Another situation stirred by social media is the effect sharing opinions without accountability has on people. In 1933, H.G Wells wrote of an invisible man that loses his morals, friends and family, as he falls through crimes, like theft and sexual assault, to eventually land in madness. He believes he is free from the consequences of his actions because no one can see him.
Internet users anonymously vomit disgusting opinions and ruthlessly attack the character and persona of others, simply because they believe they are free of the consequences. Such digital bullies fall prey to the same outcome that H.G. Wells' villian experienced in the Invisible Man movie. His sick words and actions shaped his identity, created his reality, and sent him into a lonely downward spiral of insanity.
Both predicaments mentioned are not created by social media, but reveal the corruption that is inherent in each of us. A poor self worth, lacking a sense of "I am," and a complete ignorance of consequences makes people vulnerable to both possibilities. Children craving for validation follow the parents example, turning to social media to fulfil the need of acceptance. Parents "surf" as a way to escape the ugly realities of daily life, unaware their flights of fantasy shape an invisible child within their own home.
Do you want real internet security for yourself and your children?
Put down the phone and foster a sense of value for real community, with people that get the context of who you are, where you are at, with a true value for your well being. Dont split your attention between social media and the raising of your child, put down the phone and interact personally. Acknowledge and validate your children's efforts, actions and achievements in a genuine, caring and deliberate manner, boosting their personal sense of worth. Instil a clear working of "what you sow shall you reap." O boy, will you ever reap what you sow.
As you sow validation, care, approval and affection into the lives of the loved ones that surround you, so shall you reap, nullifying the need to spend unproductive and soul destroying time on the internet. Social media is nothing more than a tool, just like a hammer, which we wouldn't use to form our identity. Dont let social media own you and shape who you are, rather, own your identity and allow it to shape social media.
Social Media Safety Day, 11 February 2020, highlighted the precautions and roles that you and I need to take to ensure personal security, while enjoying the interactions and benefits of the internet life.
The speedy advancement of technology puts people in a number of unique situations that we, the users, don't yet fully understand. The first of these predicaments is the power our hand-held device has to isolate us from the people that are in our physical and personal surroundings, while exposing us to a community of strangers as we engage from many miles away.
Social media manipulates our inherent need for validation and support from our community to include the inauthentic and often cruel praise of the internet audience. The "likes and shares" of strangers on social media start to replace the affection and affirmations of loved ones that know us personally. People start to choose the passing acknowledgements of "followers" to shape their identity and to create "highs." This pseudo-approval is short lived and out of context with daily life, resulting in many "lows." Internet audiences dont know your story. They are unaware of your values, your hopes and struggles. Like a sick circus ringmaater, they crack the whip and demand: " dance monkey, dance for me."
Another situation stirred by social media is the effect sharing opinions without accountability has on people. In 1933, H.G Wells wrote of an invisible man that loses his morals, friends and family, as he falls through crimes, like theft and sexual assault, to eventually land in madness. He believes he is free from the consequences of his actions because no one can see him.
Internet users anonymously vomit disgusting opinions and ruthlessly attack the character and persona of others, simply because they believe they are free of the consequences. Such digital bullies fall prey to the same outcome that H.G. Wells' villian experienced in the Invisible Man movie. His sick words and actions shaped his identity, created his reality, and sent him into a lonely downward spiral of insanity.
Both predicaments mentioned are not created by social media, but reveal the corruption that is inherent in each of us. A poor self worth, lacking a sense of "I am," and a complete ignorance of consequences makes people vulnerable to both possibilities. Children craving for validation follow the parents example, turning to social media to fulfil the need of acceptance. Parents "surf" as a way to escape the ugly realities of daily life, unaware their flights of fantasy shape an invisible child within their own home.
Do you want real internet security for yourself and your children?
Put down the phone and foster a sense of value for real community, with people that get the context of who you are, where you are at, with a true value for your well being. Dont split your attention between social media and the raising of your child, put down the phone and interact personally. Acknowledge and validate your children's efforts, actions and achievements in a genuine, caring and deliberate manner, boosting their personal sense of worth. Instil a clear working of "what you sow shall you reap." O boy, will you ever reap what you sow.
As you sow validation, care, approval and affection into the lives of the loved ones that surround you, so shall you reap, nullifying the need to spend unproductive and soul destroying time on the internet. Social media is nothing more than a tool, just like a hammer, which we wouldn't use to form our identity. Dont let social media own you and shape who you are, rather, own your identity and allow it to shape social media.
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