Social Media and the Decline of Respect
I wrote this blog back in 2015 and being naïve I was hopeful that things would not deteriorate further; unfortunately, I was wrong.
When I hear about incidences of not only professional people being harassed and bullied, but also young children and teens, it breaks my heart. I will never understand how anyone can feel that it is acceptable to hide behind social media to make someone feel horrible about themselves, or to destroy their lives. I ask myself, what kind of monster are they? The truth is they are cowards who become brave when hidden behind a computer screen.
Social Media has become a tool that is contributing to the decline of respect. Too many believe that what they have to say, or what they believe, can be posted on social media sites without regard to the consequences, or as to how it may offend or hurt others. How can you feel the impact when you are hidden behind a social media page on a computer screen? Easy to dish it out when you do not have to face someone.
In fairness, social media sites are not the culprit - they are the avenues used to perpetuate disrespect, bullying and hate. The ease of posting when you are anonymous does not lead to thinking before you put the information out there. Being nameless and faceless leads to irresponsibility.
To change the internet environment we need to start with our children. They need to be taught compassion, and what is appropriate behavior on social media sites. They need to understand the impact of their words and what the consequences may be. Before posting they must ask themselves how they would feel if that same behavior were directed at them. Children must be taught - we cannot just put a computer in front of them and think they will know what is appropriate and acceptable. Treating others as they would want to be treated should be the number one lesson.
Time on social media sites should be monitored and limited. Children need to know how to connect socially face to face. If they can engage with their peers and see how their actions impact others, then they will learn what is appropriate. When they know how to show respect to others, then perhaps they will be the ones to change how social media sites are used.
We can be the ones to help make this change by having conversations about being respectful, and the proper use of social media.
When I hear about incidences of not only professional people being harassed and bullied, but also young children and teens, it breaks my heart. I will never understand how anyone can feel that it is acceptable to hide behind social media to make someone feel horrible about themselves, or to destroy their lives. I ask myself, what kind of monster are they? The truth is they are cowards who become brave when hidden behind a computer screen.
With all of this in mind I am sharing the blog once more. Engage your children in conversations about this topic, monitor what they are doing on social media, and make sure they let you know if any of this behavior is being directed at them. We need to make this stop, and it is our responsibility as adults to ensure it does.
Respect - noun \ri-ˈspekt\
1. : a relation or reference to a particular thing or situation <remarks having respect to an earlier plan>2. : an act of giving particular attention: consideration
3. a: high or special regard: esteem
b: the quality or state of being esteemed
c plural: expressions of high or special regard or deference
In fairness, social media sites are not the culprit - they are the avenues used to perpetuate disrespect, bullying and hate. The ease of posting when you are anonymous does not lead to thinking before you put the information out there. Being nameless and faceless leads to irresponsibility.
To change the internet environment we need to start with our children. They need to be taught compassion, and what is appropriate behavior on social media sites. They need to understand the impact of their words and what the consequences may be. Before posting they must ask themselves how they would feel if that same behavior were directed at them. Children must be taught - we cannot just put a computer in front of them and think they will know what is appropriate and acceptable. Treating others as they would want to be treated should be the number one lesson.
Time on social media sites should be monitored and limited. Children need to know how to connect socially face to face. If they can engage with their peers and see how their actions impact others, then they will learn what is appropriate. When they know how to show respect to others, then perhaps they will be the ones to change how social media sites are used.
We can be the ones to help make this change by having conversations about being respectful, and the proper use of social media.
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