Why do we need social media education?

The more young people use mobile phones and internet to build an online presence, the more they need to be aware of it’s dangers. Online world has a language of it’s own and it’s own rules and conventions. There is someone out there who is tracking your online presence.

Can you write whatever you want on your blog?

The simple answer is no. Blogs are no more your personal space. There are many stories of people going to jail for writing against their government or a famous media personality. For example, you can read here how a young blogger went to jail in Iran for writing against the Islamic regime. In the aftermath of Mumbai attacks, an Indian blogger was given a notice to write against a popular TV news reporter and anchor. Another young Indian went to jail for posting death threats against a religious party. Off course, these stories are far and few but they are growing everyday.

Can you post whatever you want on your profile page on a social networking website?

The simple answer is again no. There are instances of people losing jobs because of what they write or post on their profiles.

Can you believe everything that is posted on Twitter?

No, because not everything posted on twitter is true. It may be just a rumor and sometimes you have to be aware of what is real news and what is not.

The right to free speech and freedom of expression rarely exist in a real world and that is why there is a high value placed on it. I think these incidents point out that it is time that educational system takes on the new challenges posed by the new online media.