This really isn’t a news flash to those of us who’ve lived awhile in this world, but many kids don’t quite get how this works. By now, most have heard that whatever is put on the internet will live there forever. All the naked, semi-naked or drunken shots of you have the potential to rise up and be used against you ten years from now. This isn’t probably a big concern to the 14 year old trying to win his or her first partner, but it becomes a way bigger issue when the same person tries to get into college or get a job that pays well.
With every phone that isn’t from the wired stone ages coming equipped with a camera, the opportunities for recording bad choices are huge. Then, of course, posting these hilarious photos–complete with tagged names–on to websites is so easy. In response to this, some photo-sharing sites only leave photos on-line for a very short time. This way we get to be exhibitionists without having much concern that our worst-moment photos will come back to haunt us.
Let’s not forget, however, that bad choices tend to follow us in general. Kids aren’t used to having much power, overall–we adults tend not to listen closely. So, nothing is more natural that kids–and those with impaired judgments(pot and alcohol)–don’t think about long-term consequences. This can be sad and scary and lead to entire lives being lost. If adults can convey one thing to kids, it should be that their choices count.
Along with the sex talk, we need to give kids the choices matter talk.
- EVERYTHING you post on-line will reflect who you are and may hinder who you want to become.
- A brief sexual encounter can turn into a lifetime requirement to pay child support.
- Even “protected sex” can end up in pregnancy.
- Drinking too much can lead to being vulnerable to sexual assault(or worse).
- Drinking and driving can lead to a DUI or to the driver killing others.
Sadly, we adults too often lecture–often about stuff that’s not a big deal, like wet towels on the bathroom floor and trash that wasn’t taken out. When adults lecture, kids stop listening. It’s just a fact of life.
Lectures should be hoarded like gold–we only get to administer a few that make a difference. Make them count.