Realizing the power of Social media Think Before You Post Realizing the power of Social media

My Story Sunday July 17th 2011 my world changed forever. My brother Anthony called me and told me he had some bad news. “How bad could it be”? I thought. I had tried to call him the day before (along with everyone else that I knew well) so I could tell them I was traveling abroad and would not answer my phone unless it was an emergency. Obviously my brother needed to tell me something, he had better have had something to say, I was paying for foreign cell phone minutes! “Alex…Alex, Alex killed himself last night or this morning…I don’t know. Dad found him this morning”. My little brother began to cry, probably the first time I had heard him cry in 15 years. I didn’t react. Stunned by what he had said, I just listened. He didn’t know what to say either. Eventually he asked if I was still there. As a million thoughts raced through my head, pretty much every memory I had ever had with my oldest little brother, Alex, were there; I struggled to remember each one, so I couldn’t forget them. I knew I wouldn’t be able to make new memories with my brother, so I frantically held onto the old ones. Finally, one thought dominated my mind, and I spoke. “Why did Alex do it”?

My Story Anthony responded “His girlfriend broke up with him”. I repeated “His girlfriend broke up with him…”, as I wondered how that could be the only reason, Anthony continued. “Then she posted about it on Facebook…tagged him in it…called him a loser and other things in her post. I guess he saw it last night and then went out to the shed and killed himself”. Horrified I was even asking this, and not knowing if it was appropriate, I blurted out: “How did he do it”? Anthony told me “He hung himself” and then began crying even worse than before. I knew the conversation had to shift to Anthony, he was in pain and I had to help my little brother. I had already failed Alex, I had to say something to Anthony. “I love you. I know we are brothers and we don’t say it to each other, but I do. Tell me what I can do to help you. This burden shouldn’t be on you. I would do anything for you, Anthony. Tell me what to do. He responded “Call Grandpa and tell him. I don’t have his number and no one else wants to talk about Alex. Will you call him”?

“Think before You Post”. My takeaway My story still upsets me to this day. It always will. No matter how many times I tell it or how many times I tell myself not to be sad. I will always get emotional when I tell it…and I don’t get upset about anything else. Why does this story stick with me and have such an impact on me? Looking back, I think it is because of two main reasons: 1) Suicide transfers your pain on to everyone you know and love…forever. 2) It was all preventable. I will forever blame myself for not calling Alex on Saturday July 16th. I will forever blame myself for not making Alex feel like he could call me for any reason. I will forever blame myself for not recognizing Alex was depressed. However I will forever refuse to blame one person: his ex-girlfriend. How could she have known that one post would end someone else’s life? I have made it my mission to spread Alex’s story so that others may learn to “Think before You Post”.

Social Media We all know what it is. Most of us use it every day and as often as we possibly can. We think: I hope someone likes this. I hope people agree with me. I hope I get followers. I hope this gets shared. I hope people think it is funny. I hope people think I’m cool. I hope people think I’m beautiful. We don’t think: Will this post harm someone?

Why should we change our thinking? Suicide is an extreme option (that I hope none of you have to experience) but it is a possibility. Some of the more common reasons are things we don’t think about in the moment. Will my boss or future boss like this? Will my friends or future friends think less of me? Would I want someone close to me to post this about themselves? Does this post really add anything to the lives of people I know or may meet? Am I doing something that is illegal? "As if every thought that tumbles through your head is so clever it would be a crime for it not to be shared. The Internet's not written in pencil, Mark, it's written in ink”. - Mark Zuckerberg’s ex-girlfriend

Who looks at our social media? Hopefully are friends and family! Friends of Friends. Our Frienemies. Our Employers They can even demand your password and login in 44 states. Thieves/criminals Anyone with a computer Only 30% of profiles are set to private.

Your takeaway How has this presentation changed your perception about Social Media? What will you do differently in the future? What will you tell others when you see a post that should not be online? WITHOUT USING NAMES… Tell about a post that you saw online that reflected poorly on the person who posted it.

Help your friends learn about the dangers of social media Create a poster using either Microsoft Word or Paper and Markers! Your Message must be “Think before You Post” Include at least one photo or drawing (if you dislike your drawings, make the letters into a special font like bubble or block letters) Examples are provided here: