Online Responsiblity

I woke up to a news story about Rehtaeh Parsons.  A Canadian teen who was allegedly raped by four classmates.  I say allegedly because she did not initially report the crime and consequently her claims were not proven.  However, one of the boys took a photo during the act and decided to circulate the picture.  It went viral and subsequently she began being harassed and taunted by students through text as well as on Facebook.  After dealing with the harassment for a year she hung herself.  The shaming had apparently caused psychological and emotional effects. 

            The details are reminiscent of the Steubenville, Ohio rape case.  Or how about Tyler Clementi, the Rutgers teen who committed suicide after it was alleged that his roommate thought it would be funny to secretly video tape his intimate moments.  Let us not forget the countless videos online of one teen pummeling another.  These types of scenarios keep repeating themselves.  Students are so comfortable with technology yet there are many cases of them being used irresponsibly, and even criminally. 

             I am in no way negating any of the unspeakable things that were committed against the victims.  I am simply examining the matter of technology use. Teenagers seem to only realize the positive that can come from technology uses.  The negative is not being considered. They obviously think that since you can’t see them and they can’t see you its okay to make negative remarks.  Frankly adults have this problem as well.  Have you ever read the comments on a new article?  Individuals post things regardless of how much it may hurt someone else.  Somewhere there is a disconnect between humanity and technology, and there lies the problem.  How can be make sure that the two are married, in my opinion with technology something always suffers. 

            Technology has exploded so fast and we did not foresee the risks that it would bring with it.   As teachers it is our responsibility to look out for our students.  How do you keep a watchful eye out for cyber bullying?  Parents, teachers, and the law have all been caught unaware and in the meantime students are suffering because none of us know how to protect them. 

            Despite the censorship that exists in classrooms we need use these cases as teaching moments.  We should be discussing these situations with our students.  It can help them to see what the actual consequences could be for the actions they take. You can discuss the actions taken, who did what and what could have and should have been done in each particular case and how it would have affected the outcome.   It’s a great way to teach them responsible strategies to use when they are online.