Instagram: Beyond the Post (Part 2)

     Now that we've established one of the dangers of Instagram, it's time to go beyond the people.  Instead, we're going to focus on what the post. (Ironic that the title is "Beyond the Post" and we're talking about the posts.) It's amazing... the things people are putting on the interest simply because they can. Anonymity (being anonymous) can work wonders on people. They think they're shielded from the backlash of what goes on on the World Wide Web. We all know Issac Newton's third law, right? "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction." Now, this doesn't apply just to forces. This applies to the Internet, too. For everything you post-and I mean everything- there is an equal and opposite reaction. In some cases, we can call it 'backlash'. It's fun, isn't it? Saying bad things about people and knowing you won't get caught. It makes users feel invincible. But, in reality, you're not hiding anything. You're not actually anonymous. Everything you say and do can be tracked with your electronic footprint. Flaming someone may be a good idea to you at the time, but that post may be the first domino that starts the Domino Effect. Many things that happen on social media get taken into real life. People don't realize that cyberbullying disrupts organizations at school. The fact that someone knows they're getting talked about in a bad way all the time by everybody will substantially effect their education in a negative way. It's too bad, however, that most people don't see this until it's too late. This is one of the reasons school shootings happen in America. Foolishness and carelessness. 

     Another thing that's popular to post on Instagram are revealing pictures. Also known as 'exposing' someone. Here's a general rule every user, especially teenagers, should follow: If you wouldn't mind your mother, one of your teachers, a college professor, an administrator, and the President himself seeing it, go ahead and post it. But, if one (or any) of those people would disapprove of it, don't post it. DON'T POST IT. If it embarrasses you in any way, shape, or form, don't post it. Also, there's no reason to say some mean words to anyone through the Internet, either. Instagram especially. One post turns into an argument in the comments. That argument carries over into the real world-  we've all seen it before. "Dang, man, why'd it happen? He was such a good kid, he would never do this...". Oh, yes he would. People will do a wide range of things when enraged or provoked. You call someone out, indeed they will answer. Instead of acting like everything is fine between two people, they go ranting about it on Instagram, thinking the other person won't see it. NEWSFLASH!!!!! They will see it. As you saw in my last post, a lot of teens use Instagram. Don't think of it as a classroom of thirty teens- think of it as a grade of three hundred teens. You know how fast information spreads over the Internet. Be smart about what you post. Don't just think about yourself- think about the other people all on Instagram. Because they can see it too.