Safer Internet Day 2014
Let’s create a better Internet together (literally)
Safer Internet Day is an international event that happens on the second Tuesday of February, which took place this 11thFebruary with a global theme of “Let’s Create a Better Internet Together”, brought to us by the trusty folks at Media Literacy Council. The internet will be a much safer place if we learn to adopt the 4 simple values with a sense of urgency:
RESPONSIBILITY
With the various incidents on the internet recently, it reiterates the need for us to reassess our social media habits and start being accountable for our words and actions on the internet. Nothing is really private on the internet and all your information online can be made public if one digs hard enough. Remember, for any fire you fuel, there will always be a victim, and consequences to face.
EMPATHY
Don't do to others what you don't want others to do to you. Before you say anything on the internet, ask yourself :
"Is this true?"
“Is what I’m saying a fair statement?”
"Is what you're saying helpful or necessary?"
If it isn’t, you could be fueling an (unintended?) fire. Do not feed and participate in a social media justice blindly. Empathy for your fellow human being, no matter how bad that person, is a large part of what makes us humans.
INTEGRITY
Have a moral character - do the right thing, in the right way. Tell the truth, be honest. Even if everyone is doing something, especially if it's wrong, you do not have to participate. By not participating, we eliminate the risk of having an over-reaction (which is highly the usual case of internet brawls), having unrestrained and anonymous viciousness on the internet.
RESPECT
You scold, you swear, you curse – gathering all the wrong instincts in a group. There are certain group dynamics, be it within the blog-o-sphere, within your clique in school… and sometimes we behave like a pack of hounds hunting when rifled. Start showing respect by not shouting, threatening or labeling others (nicknaming is a bad habit). Learn to manage your emotions, handle situations and resolve conflicts civilly, patiently, tolerantly with a stand.
“Yes, somebody has done something wrong, repudiate it, condemn it, but do not lower ourselves to that same level to behave in a way which really makes us a ll so ashamed of ourselves to become abusive, hateful mobs, especially online and anonymously.”- Mr Lee.
Sometimes, it’s about respecting ourselves too. One who revels in another’s punishment, whether deserved or not, reveals a nature which lacks respect and empathy, a very important property of graciousness.
Living in a civilised society, why do we feel the need to gloat at the fallen or celebrate a punishment. The group / herd mentality has proven to bring out the worst in us, because it stops us thinking as an individual and doesn’t allow us to find our moral compasses. Sometimes, all it takes is for you to get off from your computer and reflect on what you have written and you may feel a tinge of embarrassment.
Every voice counts.
1. Girlfriend Code
Also, during a meeting i discussed with the team about my post on Girlfriend Code - The Really Wrong Incident. I was concerned if that was considered Cyber Bullying as some people have suggested. Well, am really glad i was NOT wrong by doing a post like that because yes, i am entitled to my own opinions and it's fine to share my views on things. And I make it a point to express respectfully. However, what i did wrong was not giving enough "respect" to her by approving insulting comments and what some of my readers did wrong was hurl negative insults and mean words in those comments. The comment box portion where people left hurtful remarks about "a particular person" would be considered Cyber Bullying as there were a lot of people insulting her and bringing her down. If she could not handle that amount of insults well, she might have done silly things like committing suicide etc. If we did practice the 4 simple values above, i would have gotten the message of "Sisters Before Misters" across without being labelled as a BULLY. Although it wasn't exactly me who was the Bully, but instead it was the people leaving the comments, i had to be responsible for not filtering it and so, i contributed and am also a Bully.
Many people dare to leave mean remarks and insults online as they can remain Anonymous and no one will find out who they are. Most of the time they say things they will never dare say in real life or if they have to use their actual name. When you leave comments in future, leave comments you would be proud of...constructive ones. Think before you type. Not comments you'll be embarrassed of if your identity got revealed, you won't be like "that's not what i said!".
It will mean a lot to me if you are in this with me! We don't want the internet to be a scary place one day right?
Watch the video, Pledge and Cast yourself in the video here:
www.betterinternet.sg
How to Pledge and Cast yourself in the video?
2. Click the red "START NOW" button to begin
3. Create your pledge and video photo then click the round "PLEDGE NOW" button.
4. Preview the video!
5. Don't forget to share it with your friends on your wall!
You can find out more about #sid2014sg on Media Literacy Council (MLC) website at www.medialiteracycouncil.com, or MLC facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MediaLiteracyCouncilSG.
For all my readers, I want to know, what do you think about this interesting campaign after reading my lengthy post? Please take some time to watch the video and pledge. What do you think we can do to promote a safer internet environment?
Comment on this post or write about it on your own social media platforms with the hashtag #sid2014sg!