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When Using MySpace |
As some of you know, I use MySpace everyday in addition to email as a tool to communicate with teens I work with and careabout. It’s also true that some parents and public officials are in an uproar lately about MySpace, and sometimes for good reason. But MySpace isn’t the problem. The people who use it unwisely or incorrectly are the problem. So read on…
- Have
some class… really! If you build your MySpace in such a way that it makes you
appear to be someone you’re not, you may regret it. “Pimping” out your site is
one thing, but making yourself to look like a whacked-out sadist or sex
goddess will attract exactly what you portray. If it’s not you, don’t make
your site look that way!
- If you
decorate your site with all kinds of drug paraphernalia but you’re not a
druggy, would you want your parents, your school principal or others whose
opinion you value to see it?
-
Remember, you built your MySpace for other people to see and they do. And
because your MySpace profile can be viewed by virtually anybody anyway, it can
also be viewed by parents, school officials and the police. So don’t embarrass
yourself and your family by putting stuff up that will get you into trouble.
If you trash people, especially if you insult, threaten or demean them, they
have a right to take action against you. So use your sense!
- Have
some manners! “Do you eat with that mouth?” ☺ If you do,
then consider watching your language online! Sure, teens have always been
notorious for their atrocious language when adults can’t hear them. And we’re
not talking about a swear here and there as you chat with friends in general.
But when every other word is f--- this and f--- that in your MySpace, it gets
old pretty quickly. And if your choice of words contains racial slurs, demeans
either gender or slams gay people, you not only lack manners, you lack
maturity too. Grow up.
- If you’ve read numbers one through four and know in your heart of hearts that I’m not speaking to you, than good for you, and thank you! If some of these points do apply to you, then perhaps you will consider editing your profile and become a better neighbor online.
Kevin Lee, Dartmouth Youth Advocate
Kevin on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/36343060