Sometimes I wonder about this world of social media and question if the reality of it is actually a good thing.
Yes we can communicate a lot faster and over oceans and continents. No more waiting for the postman to arrive or for telegraphs to be sent.
Yes we can open our circle of friends a lot wider and learn so much more than ever. Be part of support groups or fan clubs that we would never have managed before.
But like everything it life it has a contrast.
Words can be spurred easily from behind a computer screen.
Words that maybe people would think twice about saying in person are now flown out across Facebook pages, twitter and so much more.
Sometimes yes those words can and are used to lift people up but as I have been finding recently they are more often used to tear others down.
Now I am not saying each and everyone is entitled to there own opinion but I always go by the presumption of innocence before guilty.
Yet the mob mentality that is becoming part of this virtual world seems to be leaving this behind.
Children are being bullied to their deaths. They are hounded by those they know but also by those who have jumped into a thread or comment line for fun.
Lives are being ruined by malicious gossip that once written can never be removed.
Trolls are invading people’s minds and hearts for little more than a reaction.
I remember years ago reading accounts of trials by media and the consequences that was often brought about by them. Now it’s trial by social media.
I know many of you may be thinking that we still have liability laws for protection, but let’s be honest a tweet, an email, a video can now go viral in minutes.
Liability after the fact is still to little to late.
Damage control can only go so far.
Once it’s out there you CANNOT get it back.
Now I’m not saying lets boycott all the social media sites, I’m not saying this at all. In fact it’s well known I am a lover of social media sites and you will find me spending many hours on them. They have helped me share my story, meet new people and even been (are) my support network.
What I am saying is we all need to have accountability.
Let us know the full story before we write that tweet or post that update.
Let us be aware of the full picture before we join in on a witch hunt or a bullying episode and to be honest let’s not anyway.
Lets be sure of what position we hold before we like a post or retweet a tweet.
You may not have written the words yourself but you endorse them with your promotion.
Have your own opinion before you validate another’s.
Lets be accountable.
It isn’t easy and as a social media lover I don’t want there to be restrictions to the use of social networks but what I do want is there to be quick and severe consequences for those who abuse it.
I do want protection in place for our children who have yet to learn the savagery of the real world or the true consequences of their actions.
This isn’t about the squashing our freedom of speech.
We are all entitled to our own opinions but we also have to be able to stand by them.
Speak the truth
Know your heart
Before you touch that keyboard.
Be accountable
I know do.
Do you?
“Truth without love is brutality, and love without truth is hypocrisy.”
― Warren W. Wiersbe
Rebel with kindness 