This has long been a topic I have had grave misgivings about. Whether it is social media, on line dating or cyber bullying. With any of these methods of communication, we must at all times be vigilant, and check our safety often. I will deal with each of these issues in turn. #1.Social media.Twitter and Face Book. Why do usually intelligent people tell total strangers so much about their private lives and themselves? It has been well documented in the press, that people reveal very intimate details, that the whole world can gain access to. This leads to humiliation and embarrassment. The latest 'craze', for want of a better word, of sexting, is a case in point. Have these people sunk so low that they have no self esteem left, that they would leave themselves open to ridicule, and worse? This practice is not something they will easily live down, if at all. It could haunt them for the rest of their lives. Where is their dignity? Once they post something into cyber space, it is there for eternity.
#2. I have just read an article in a women's magazine, about a case of online dating that went horribly wrong. The lady was almost killed.Something tells me, people's common sense flies out the window when they are lonely. It is well known that criminals pose as nice, friendly people, and only reveal their true personalities when these, mostly women, actually meet them. We also know, this is how poedophiles operate, too.
This duplicity and dishonesty, is also something internet users must be aware of at all times.I am not in any way implying that all online dating companies are untrustworthy. Not at all. Just be very careful.
#3. Cyber Bullying. I am vehemently opposed to bullying in what ever form it manifests itself. I was constantly subjected to this, from all sections of society. We did not have home PCs, or mobile/cell phones etc, so I was thankfully spared that kind of attack. It baffles me that so many vulnerable young people don't have the courage to just switch their iPad off. Have we as a society, got so engrossed in our own little world, that we fail to protect and equip our young to be able to deal with these issues? What needs to happen is, we get back to basics and care for and respect and love all people, as we would like to be treated. There is way too much nastiness and 'dog eat dog' in our world now.
