M.A. students must be held to a higher standard online

Although Facebook is a great tool for socializing and keeping in touch with people, it can also be used as a shield for hurtful comments and disregard for others’ feelings.

We at the Talon Staff are not here to bombard you with clichés: If you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say it at all; or perhaps, do unto others what you want done to you. Not that these philosophies are untrue, but when one hears them (or anything for that matter) time and time again, the significance is dulled somewhat.

We’re also not telling you to “If nothing else, go post one nice thing on someone’s wall!” as that phrase has been repeated countlessly in different forms as well, and provides a very temporary goal that is soon forgotten by all.

As members of a Christian school, we should conduct ourselves in a higher manner online (and everywhere else too); we should constantly be looking out for others feelings and asking ourselves if what we’re doing is right. This principle should remain constant for non-Christian students as well, as it shows respect and integrity.

What’s the point of taking disputes online and making them public? What does it solve? Very little, if anything.

High schoolers for the most part want to be trusted and treated with the same respect adults get. We should show that we deserve that respect by being responsible in all walks of our life; especially the ones that literally the whole world can see.

Remember that what you put on Facebook is on the Internet forever. You may think you have privacy and no one has access to your info except your friends. But before you start feeling too comfortable, go to www.openbook.com. Type in any word: maybe “stupid”, or “jerk”, or something light-hearted like “lol” or “favre”. Then the site shows you every recent status update that has that word in it.

It just goes to show that there’s very little privacy on the Internet. What do you think your future boss would think of what you’re posting? Would he think it shows maturity and character?

So if you are about to post a status or comment and you’re not sure if it’s the right thing to do or not, think two things: Am I representing my Christian school and faith properly (and/or my integrity and desire for respect)? Would I be fine with my future bosses/college application recipients seeing this?

If the answer to either of those questions is no, think again about clicking that “Share” button.