2008 Woodie Awards
Editorial: The college Internet playground isn't safe
Issue date: 9/21/06 Section: Opinion/Editorial
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Students are constantly reminded in high school and college over and over again to be discrete on the Internet, but some hard-headed students continue to blatantly ignore the warnings. The Journal has written countless articles, published several opinion pieces and even an editorial previously on this exact subject. However, students continue to take the weight of what they post on the Internet lightly.
The student conduct policy clearly states that Webster University can bring charges against a student for violation of the code of conduct, even if they break the rules while off campus. So why do so many students, obviously underage, feel the need to advertise their drunken stupors to anyone who is willing to view their photos online? Besides, I doubt that anyone would consider a keg stand a flattering pose.
As easy as it is to view anyone's Facebook or MySpace page, it is amazing that most students don't consider how easy it is for staff and faculty to view them also. After all, what's on the Internet is in a lot of ways public. If you are prepared to share your drug and alcohol exploits on the Web, you might as well go all the way, make a picnic in the Quad and do whatever you plan on doing in front of everyone.
Maybe this is a sign of how bored students really are. They don't stop to realize that photos posted on the Web can be used as evidence against them by the school Judicial Board or other officials. Not to mention the fact that these photos make students look stupid.
Sadly, undergraduate college students will probably be making bad choices until the end of time. No one in their right mind expects the excess partying, drinking and drug use to all together cease. That would be unrealistic. But the next time you decide to place evidence of your rule breaking on the Web for the whole world to see, be prepared to have the dean of students and possibly Public Safety knocking on your door.
The next time you're thinking about doing something you have put a whole lot of wasted effort into, like betting on the number of shots you can down in an hour, don't be a dummy. There's no need to break out the digital camera and broadcast to everyone how wasted you got last Saturday night. It definitely wasn't your finest hour.
The student conduct policy clearly states that Webster University can bring charges against a student for violation of the code of conduct, even if they break the rules while off campus. So why do so many students, obviously underage, feel the need to advertise their drunken stupors to anyone who is willing to view their photos online? Besides, I doubt that anyone would consider a keg stand a flattering pose.
As easy as it is to view anyone's Facebook or MySpace page, it is amazing that most students don't consider how easy it is for staff and faculty to view them also. After all, what's on the Internet is in a lot of ways public. If you are prepared to share your drug and alcohol exploits on the Web, you might as well go all the way, make a picnic in the Quad and do whatever you plan on doing in front of everyone.
Maybe this is a sign of how bored students really are. They don't stop to realize that photos posted on the Web can be used as evidence against them by the school Judicial Board or other officials. Not to mention the fact that these photos make students look stupid.
Sadly, undergraduate college students will probably be making bad choices until the end of time. No one in their right mind expects the excess partying, drinking and drug use to all together cease. That would be unrealistic. But the next time you decide to place evidence of your rule breaking on the Web for the whole world to see, be prepared to have the dean of students and possibly Public Safety knocking on your door.
The next time you're thinking about doing something you have put a whole lot of wasted effort into, like betting on the number of shots you can down in an hour, don't be a dummy. There's no need to break out the digital camera and broadcast to everyone how wasted you got last Saturday night. It definitely wasn't your finest hour.
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