Use social media wisely

Secondary school students have been warned against posting personal information on social media, even pictures of themselves wearing their school uniforms.

This advice came from University of the West Indies Lecturer in Education, Educational Technology and Comparative Education, Dr. Kay Xuereb, who made it clear that every precaution should be taken to protect their digital footprint.

Reminding the students of The St. Michael School, Seventh-Day Adventist and Unique High gathered yesterday, that online information could be recovered when deleted, she stressed the importance of making wise decisions when posting pictures and comments online and using privacy settings as much as possible.

“We need to be responsible digital citizens. Whatever you are posting now will always be there for others to see so five years from now when you are looking for a job, employers would be able to view your information online and you would always want it to be positive information,” she continued.

During an interactive workshop on Internet safety at the Pan American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation Dayrell’s Road headquarters, she also gave advice on what they should do if they find inappropriate or offensive images in the various networks, urging them to either report it by clicking that option within the app or to tell a trusted adult so they could help to address the situation.

Asking the students several questions including how they would feel to see a harmful picture about themselves online, she also urged them against forwarding such images of other persons to those in their contact list.

“You can make a difference in your country and be a change agent and speed messenger for a safer Internet,” Xuereb remarked. (JMB)