Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Digital Footprint and Cyberbullying Tips

Here are some tips for everyone using the internet. These tips apply in particular to all perpetrators, trolls, victims and voyeurs of cyberbullying:
  1. Most importantly, consider your digital footprint. What you put in the public domain is public! It therefore could have far reaching consequences. If you want to make defamatory remarks about someone, don't (or do so in private). One's primary responsibilities are to oneself, one's family and one's school. Think about the consequences of your actions.
  2. Think before you tweet. The speed at which remarks can snowball on Twitter in particular is quite frightening, what with RTs, PLNs, 140 chars etc.
  3. Screen Capture any evidence.
  4. Don't get involved if it's someone else's spat. Let them fight their own battles, don't become their patsy and don't join the mob.
  5. Don't even reply once if vitriol is aimed at you in the public arena (this applies to adults and kids).
  6. Don't tweet if you are bored, only boring people are bored.
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6 comments:

  1. If I had to add one more I would add .... Double check the spelling. Auto correct can make some embarrassing lines that no one wants out there is the digital world. Good advice.

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  2. Excellent advice...

    "Think before you tweet. The speed at which remarks can snowball on Twitter in particular is quite frightening, what with RTs, PLNs, 140 chars etc."

    I think many people (myself) should think about that more.

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  3. Great advice for educational and public domain - thanks Simon.

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  4. Great advice Simon.

    I worry that kids are exhausted from the 'Donts' and we should focus on inspiring them to leave a brilliant footprint. Maybe we could collect a selection of blogs/wikis/world forums they could be a part of? Thanks again for the constant stream of resources and things to think about. It's made my job so much easier.


    Tim

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  5. Thanks Tim. I agree, kids need to hear a positive message. Some Cybersafety resources can be found at http://www.delicious.com/EvertonPom/cybersafety

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