THINK BEFORE YOU CLICK

THINK BEFORE YOU CLICK

             The internet also known as the World Wide Web can be found anywhere and everywhere nowadays. The use of internet and social media have already been a need in our society. Some people cannot live without the internet because it is very useful at work, in school or even in socializing. We use the internet to voice out our opinions and speak our minds, communicate with friends and families especially when they are overseas, and a lot more things we can do with the internet and with social media . The internet is no doubt the most powerful and influencing media today but as users and having the freedom in the internet, do we know our responsibilities for every words we say or things we put on the internet?      
           
            Life is full of decisions. One decision can either break or make our life or someone's life. Decisions come hand and hand with our actions and whatever the result of our actions are, we should take these with full responsibility. Everyday, we face circumstances where our right decisions and actions are needed and one of the things that we do that requires proper decisions and actions is using the internet or browsing through social media.  Despite all this, sometimes as a user, we get caught up to the idea of using the internet or social media as a place where we can share and voice out our opinions and thoughts not thinking the effects and consequences of doing so. There are things we do in the internet that is not considerably right or should not be done and accepted. 

              First, some people tend to share there opinions and thoughts online not considering the feelings and thoughts of other people or their audience. Some just ignore the fact that everyone has feelings and a simple word can make them smile or destroy their day and even worst, their reputations. Some people also tend to make comments and judge situations online without knowing the exact stories behind what they see or the meaning of what they see online. We should always consider and take time to realize that the people we tend to hurt or give comments about in the internet are also human beings that have feelings and can be hurt.

        Another mistake some people do online is posting things that is more than what they should share resulting to regrets in the future. An example of this matter is broadcasting inappropriate materials, information, and even fake news for other people to see. Some might even post inappropriate materials or materials with explicit content that a teenager or a child should not see or experience.

     Third, in using the internet or any social media outlets, we must also remember to protect our privacy as a user and as a human being. Posting every activity we do or everything about us is not fun as we think. By doing these, we give people with bad intentions access to our life and they might use the things we post online against us. In doing so, we as users of the internet put our own safety at risk and danger.

       Fourth, people nowadays especially teenagers value relationships online more than social interactions or communication face-to-face. We get so caught up of making relationships and interactions online that we forget to even simply talk or have conversation with our parents and family and even the people we meet in real-life. Also we are sometimes consumed with the use of the internet that we neglect to do the things that are way more important than the virtual world. We get so distracted by the internet and different social medias that we do not see the importance of the things around us even the simplest ones.

        Some people make actions and decisions online that not only destroy other people's reputation but even their own. People nowadays choose to make actions that spread negativity and hate instead of spreading happiness and love. 

       "Think before you click" has been the strongest advice people keep giving to netizens especially teenagers in order to prevent them from revealing more of themselves online. It helps in making people limit whatever they post on the web and to be cautious about what they share to the public. It also aims to inspire others to be responsible when using the internet and for people to reflect among themselves their decisions online and how it will affect others.

        The concerns about people sharing personal information and photos on social media is increasing that's why people are being encouraged to use anonymous usernames, user handles that are not close enough to their true names or not using their full name.

        The internet is no doubt a very important and powerful tool we use in our lives in the present and undeniably we as internet users have the freedom to do whatever we wish on the World Wide Web but we must always remember our limitations and the effects of it not only for yourself as a netizen but also for other people and fellow internet users. We should also strive to make the online world a healthier, gentler, and more loving world. Remember, in every action there is always a consequence so we must always keep in mind that when using the internet or any form of social media, YOU MUST THINK FIRST BEFORE YOU CLICK.

The internet technology is good

as this will bring us closer

but this can be a malady, a no good

if we use it to insult others.

This may put others in jeopardy

when what we posted injures

or may malign one's integrity

even if it was just a mare joke

thus, THINK BEFORE YOU CLICK

in order not to make anyone sick;

Be responsible in what ever we click

for anything we posted surely licks.

and this world shall know even our tricks. 

SOURCE: https://www.poemhunter.com/melvin-banggollay/poems/

         Before you say or do something in the internet or in social medias, always remember to stop and process how other people would feel about what you are about to say or do. Always remember to stay ethical on the internet and alwaysbe responsible for your own actions. Make the internet a place where love and peace make people united and a place everyone can have the freedom of expression they deserve without hurting others, not a place where humanity is divided because of hatred, fear, and evil. As a responsible citizen and a user of the internet let us strive to be the solution not to be part of the problem.In line with this, one way to be ethical in the World Wide Web  or the internet is through the guidance of the Core Rules of Netiquette. In using the internet it is very important to think before you click with keeping the core rules of netiquette in mind.

SOURCE:https://www.lessonplansdigger.com/2015/07/10/5-minute-speaking-activity-netiquette/