So, chances are you've seen this meme floating around somewhere on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, etc. So, I can't take credit for any originality here, but it's too good not to share on a youth ministry blog!
There's a growing need to educate young people on the dangers of posting their entire lives online. One way or another, what they post is seen by a greater audience than they know, and even though they may choose to go back and erase a picture, text, etc., there is no guarantee that it won't live on digitally somewhere else online. On top of that, the way that we socially interact with each other is changing in a dramatic way, and we live in a world of text-without-context. This can be damaging to relational connections in ways we are probably only beginning to understand.
So, here's a great acronym for young people - and ALL of us - to filter what we put out online, both to protect ourselves and to avoid damaging our relationships with each other.
Before you post, T.H.I.N.K.
Is it TRUE? Are my words honest?
Is it HELPFUL? Is what I'm saying going to be helpful or hurtful to others?
Is it INSPIRING? Am I using this particular forum to speak positively and in a way that encourages others?
Is it NECESSARY? Do I really need to say/post this?
Is it KIND? Am I showing love to others even through these few words/pics/videos/etc.?
Good words - and a great thought process for choosing what we post (and what we DON'T post!). What about you? Any other advice for young people when it comes to what they post?
There's a growing need to educate young people on the dangers of posting their entire lives online. One way or another, what they post is seen by a greater audience than they know, and even though they may choose to go back and erase a picture, text, etc., there is no guarantee that it won't live on digitally somewhere else online. On top of that, the way that we socially interact with each other is changing in a dramatic way, and we live in a world of text-without-context. This can be damaging to relational connections in ways we are probably only beginning to understand.
So, here's a great acronym for young people - and ALL of us - to filter what we put out online, both to protect ourselves and to avoid damaging our relationships with each other.
Before you post, T.H.I.N.K.
Is it TRUE? Are my words honest?
Is it HELPFUL? Is what I'm saying going to be helpful or hurtful to others?
Is it INSPIRING? Am I using this particular forum to speak positively and in a way that encourages others?
Is it NECESSARY? Do I really need to say/post this?
Is it KIND? Am I showing love to others even through these few words/pics/videos/etc.?
Good words - and a great thought process for choosing what we post (and what we DON'T post!). What about you? Any other advice for young people when it comes to what they post?