Communication is Key!

By Elizabeth Sutherland

March has arrived, and here at Princeville, that comes with more Digital Citizenship topics. The topics of this month’s discussion are Relationships & Communication. Let me first pose a question to you: What makes the internet so powerful? Most answers are probably along the lines of, “Access to information and being able to communicate with large amounts of people through digital media,” according to Commonsense.org. We know the power of our words and actions, and how they can affect people.

Communicating on digital platforms can prove very quick and easy and can grow both new and old relationships. Useful information can also be spread online for others to read. For example, a student named Cameron Kasky from Stoneman Douglas High School has become an advocate for gun control on social media after the 2018 school shooting in Parkland, FL. Kasky and his classmates were proud to take  to social media to spread awareness about gun control, but unfortunately not everything ran smoothly.

Kasky says that he regrets some of the hurtful things that were said both by and against him after starting the social media campaign. He “feels strongly that it’s important to engage in debate…but it is important to remember that there is a real person behind their opinions.” Kasky should’ve maintained his civil discourse, which is defined as respectful sharing and debates of ideas and opinions. Digital media should be about civilly sharing opinions, not tearing each other down. 

It’s always important to remember that there’s a real person behind the screen with real feelings. Communicating emotionally through digital media can be fun, and can help you create or maintain relationships. Just remember that overall, communicating respectfully is always the goal no matter the topic of conversation.