The public discussion about "online reputation" has gotten darker, as "public shaming" appears in more and more headlines. We may think it's tough to be a celebrity, having everything one does – good, bad or anything in between – go viral. But it's even tougher not to be, if you post something negative online. Because when you're not a celebrity, it seems only bad stuff goes viral, not just every … [Read more...] about From public shaming to public compassion
Search Results for: suicide
Sexting & the plummeting teen pregnancy rate
Don't believe anything you hear about sexting causing an increase in teen pregnancy. There is no way it can be true. How can I say that? Because teen pregnancy in the US has plummeted since 2007. "For five years now, America's teen birth rate has plummeted at an unprecedented rate, falling faster and faster. Between 2007 and 2013, the number of babies born to teens annually fell by 38.4%," … [Read more...] about Sexting & the plummeting teen pregnancy rate
Social problem data & youth: Cause for celebration
"We should be celebrating young people’s good judgment and self-control — and extolling their parents and teachers," writes David Finkelhor, director of University of New Hampshire's Crimes Against Children Research Center, in a Washington Post article just before Thanksgiving. "They have brought delinquency, truancy, promiscuity, alcohol abuse and suicide down to levels unseen in many cases since … [Read more...] about Social problem data & youth: Cause for celebration
What are we really seeing in the social media fishbowl?
As a society, we're getting closer to the heart of social media safety, which is largely, not entirely, a blend of emotional and social (psychosocial) safety. This thoughtful piece by Prof. Justin Patchin of the Cyberbullying Research Center – "Bullies or Best Friends? The Challenge of Interpreting Interpersonal Relationships" – raises some important questions for parents and school staff as well … [Read more...] about What are we really seeing in the social media fishbowl?
Hmm. Secret to open anonymous ‘Secret Dens’
It's unusual to see a tech reporter anticipating Net safety problems with a new social app feature. So I was impressed with a post by TechCrunch.com's Sarah Perez about Secret's forthcoming addition of "Secret Dens" for anonymous sharing in specific locations (like schools, companies and other organizations). Launched early this year, Secret is an app for sharing thoughts, "secrets," etc. … [Read more...] about Hmm. Secret to open anonymous ‘Secret Dens’