Craig Clouston

 

The Social Network

July 20

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Luke 6:31

The four teenagers sat behind the defendant’s table, awaiting the judge’s decision. They had been accused of Cyberbullying; cruel harassment of a classmate on a social networking site. Sadly, the young girl, who had recently moved to the area, had hung herself just days after this foursome had left malicious and taunting comments on her Facebook page.

The prosecution argued that these four teenagers had intentionally driven Penelope Enders to suicide. The defense argued that it was nothing more than grandstanding on the part of the prosecution; the defendants had only been teasing ‘Miss Enders’ and had no idea their comments would be taken so literally.

In the end, the defendants were each charged with involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to juvenile detention until their eighteenth birthday, when they would be released on three year’s probation and community control sanction. Their Facebook pages were permanently removed, and they were ordered to write condolence letters to the Enders family.

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The Social Network; Facebook, Twitter, My Space, and many other sites offer real-time communication by providing the ability to post comments, pictures, and myriad other possibilities, without any personal connection. And because of that, there is a real danger to post and say things we wouldn’t do or say when face-to-face.

Today’s story is written from actual events, although it is not representative of any one specific case of Cyberbullying. Sadly, this type of event is becoming too frequently reported.

We have drifted away from being a Nation where manners and values were once taught to our children, and held in high esteem. We need to teach our children to place the needs of others ahead of their own.

Parents, police your children’s online activities. And before posting anything on the social network ask yourself, “Is this something I would want said about me?”

Prayer

“Lord, guard me from harming another through my words or actions. Help me see the world through Jesus’ eyes, and with a heart of compassion, so I can be a friend and not a tormentor. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”