In “The New Digital Age” by Schmidt and Cohen, they contend that in the future, “Everything an individual shares before the age of eighteen might then become unusable, sealed and not for public disclosure on pain of fines or even prison” (2013, 67). Looking at my own children and their associates, I have to wonder if the future should be now. I have witnessed several postings that I believe were questionable in nature, demeaning another person or publishing unflattering photographs.
While technology offers many positive benefits to youth in terms of increased educational models and global connectivity, there is a clear lack of understanding that digital contents lives forever. “Since information wants to be free, don’t write anything down you don’t want read back to you in court or printed on the front page of a newspaper” (Schmidt and Cohen, 2013, 56).
In the short term, the best solution seems to be diligently policing children’s digital profiles, providing guidance and corrections for unfavorable or less than complimentary social media postings. Also, frank discussions about cyber-bullying and utilization of privacy tools are in order. Until laws are implemented, which protect our children from the missteps of their youth, only individual action and persistence will prevent carelessness from wreaking havoc on their future.
Christine
Schmidt, J., & Cohen, J. (2013). Our Future Selves. In The new digital age: Reshaping the future of people, nations and business. New York: Vintage Books
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