Everyday Digital: Consequences
It’s important to understand that online actions can have offline consequences.
It's easy to forget when caught up in the moment. Whether it’s adding a comment to a social thread, making a quick purchase, or going somewhere dodgy or where you know you shouldn’t be, there can always be repercussions.
Habits of understanding
Most of us will find ourselves in a situation where we’ve done something we regret online.
It could be something small or embarrassing, like sending the wrong emoji, or messaging someone late and regretting it the next day. It’s important to understand that it can get a lot more serious in online spaces where things are moving quickly – like in a live stream, where everything can be recorded.
Finding a way to consider what could happen back in the 'real world’ is an essential skill. Habits of understanding will help you take the first steps to avoid something bad happening.
And remember: you do have control of the consequences too – whether it’s deleting a post or taking the nuclear option by closing an account.
Three easy habits for understanding online consequences
#1 – Take your time
Pause for a moment before you do whatever it is you are about to do. Just a second or two. Whether it’s posting, liking, commenting, or buying that thing you think you want.
What might others think? Could it be taken another way? Can I afford this? Should I be here? Before you do it, consider what the repercussions may be from pressing the “post” or “buy” button.
#2 – Control what others see
When was the last time you checked your privacy settings for your online accounts? Privacy policies online update now and then.
Take a few minutes once a week to check your settings or read an app’s privacy guidelines – maybe while queuing at the checkout or during a TV ad break. You should have all your accounts secure and up to date in a couple of months.
#3 – Have a spring clean
You can always go back and delete posts or comments. You might see something pop up on your timeline that makes you think, 'ugh, no.' You might have an account you don't want out there any longer.
This isn’t a fix-all: things can always be screenshotted, which is why it’s better to remember Habit 1 – and take your time before posting.
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