I spoke just last night to a group of high school students and their parents regarding choosing college majors and careers. As part of that presentation, I talked about the importance of preparing now and part of the preparation needed to be addressing their “social image.” I defined their social image as anything from email address to social networks and chat rooms. We talked about the impact on college admissions as well as employment. This is a message I have carried and delivered for the last several years. In fact, one of my blog posts May 2012 was titled Your Image to Others.
Today I opened my iPad, went to CNN to start a little light reading while I ate my lunch and was horrified to read one of the headlines, Sexting Scandals: How They Will Affect Students’ Futures. My heart sank, but it just affirmed that my message was spot on and I hoped that those students and parents last night took the message to heart and answered my Call to Action. You can click the link to read the entire article.
Everything Counts! You can’t go through the technologically driven lives we are faced with afraid to act, respond, and click, but you must “click responsibly.” Clicking includes taking photos, sending messages via email, text or any other social media mode. That little voice of right and wrong or maybe even an “Oooops” needs to be awakened and put on full alert. There is too much at stake.