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Why are so many (digital) citizens willing to do things with digital technologies – such as take a nude picture, harass others, over-share personal information, and so on – but not without it?
We can free ourselves from suffering embarrassing or severe consequences at the hands of our own poor digital judgment by understanding how to think responsibly when using digital tools and technologies. We must be smart about our use of digital tools, and we must realize that too much of anything is never good.
We should not rely on digital technology for everything, only what it is best suited to be used for. Digital technology provides humans the ability to attain wants and needs conveniently and instantly, but this does not mean that digital tools should be used beyond what you would do if they did not exist!
Let’s examine these thoughts through example.
Without Digital Technology – I would still:
• Look for a weather report (on TV, the newspaper or radio)
• Get the news (on TV, the newspaper or radio)
• Call or write my friends (using my home phone or a pen and paper)
• Watch videos (on my TV or VCR)
Without Digital Technology – Would I still?
• Take a nude picture of myself (with a film camera that has to be developed by a stranger)
• Verbally harass friends or strangers (to their face)
• Research my neighbor’s personal information (by looking in my neighbor’s windows or trash)
• Tell stranger personal information about myself (at the park, mall or other public area)
• Tell strangers when I will leave for vacation (at the park, mall or other public area)
I will reiterate, digital technology provides humans the ability to attain wants and needs conveniently and instantly, but this does not mean that digital tools should be used beyond what you would do if they did not exist!
We are only at the start of this Digital Renaissance. We are still in the [digital] dark ages of what tools and technologies are to come, and the power they will provide. Since we do not have a “crystal ball” projecting future digital tools, websites or issues, we must achieve proactive and perpetual digital safety, responsibility and awareness through Digital Consciousness ─ through a mindset that digital actions are public and permanent. Practicing and understanding this globally uniform guideline, like learning that “playing with fire can burn,” will help generations of individuals be proactive to prevent negative digital Effects and the Consequences that ensue.
We have a choice. We can try and change the [digital] world ─ or we can change how each of us behaves in a digital world. Solutions to digital issues do not exist “out there” ─ they exist within!
Looking Ahead:
In our next installment – Face to Face-less Harassment - we will take a look at cyber bullying, or what I call, “Cyber Cruelty,” and the consequences many (cyber) bullies don’t think about, or are ignorant to, prior to venting their venom across a global public platform called the World Wide Web.
Until next time – Cheers!
Reminder: Much of the information provided throughout this series has been extrapolated from the book, “Public and Permanent: The Golden Rule of the 21st Century” (Guerry, 2011), which is being used as a guide by thousands of people across our global village to understand, practice and teach how to always remain safe and responsible when it comes to digital decision making.
AUTHOR OVERVIEW
Richard is the Executive Director of The Institute for Responsible Online and Cell-Phone Communication (IROC2) and the Author “Public and Permanent: The Golden Rule of the 21st Century”. He travels across the United States and Canada speaking to digital users, young and old, regarding the importance of practicing a Digital Consciousness in every aspect of life to avoid any current – or future – digital disease. Richard has presented over 500 workshops and assemblies since IROC2’s creation in 2009 and has been a featured speaker at many national conferences and conventions. Visit him online at http://www.iroc2.org/.
Tags: Digital Safety, Digtial consciousness, Public and Permanent, sexcasting, sexting