Many young people today do not understand the risk that comes with the misuse of most of the social media sites.
That’s according to an expert who addressed a crowd of students and guests on responsibility and accountability with regards to cyber security on Feb. 25 at the Student Commons theatre.
“The responsibility and accountability is yours as an individual,” said Paul Davis, a cyber security expert from Social Networking Safety.
Cyber security and cyber bullying has been an ongoing topic for the past decade among schools and other organizations.
Usually, when you type a comment online and transmit it for someone to see; that is an action that can be trailed.
“We have to stop with the excuses and take responsibility for the things we do,” said Davis.
Davis explained that a digital footprint is when you go online and it can also be regarded as a digital tattoo. This includes a Facebook post, Instagram post, a tweet or a blog.
A digital trail on the other hand, is how that footprint came to be. Therefore, a digital footprint comes to live through a digital trail, which is permanent.
These digital trails include text messages from a device to servers and to another device, an Instagram photo to device, a tweet from a device or PC to a post on social media sites.
Trails are important because that is how law enforcement investigates crime scenes.
With regards to cyber bullying, when evidence is brought forth, they will look at digital footprints, said Davis.
He also advised that the two best ways to treat a cyber bullying case is not to respond, and to report for assistance.
Concerning social networking sites, Davis said, “everything is free but there is a cost to being free.”
He is making a plea that people become more responsible with the use of social media sites.
“It’s time to make your Instagram private,” said Davis.
“Stop misusing technology because you think no one will grab the images.”
He is concerned about young people and their reputation. He tells them that their education and reputation are the two main important things they have when they leave school.
Sage Kirchmann and Lea Raymond-Marshall, from Joan of Arc Academy both said they learned a lot from this event.
“I didn’t know a lot of things, but now I know there’s a lot of disadvantages,” said Kirchmann.