PRBreakfastClub

With the Internet constantly evolving, I feel like we have forgotten some of the basic rules of thumb that we all used to go by years and years ago. From the first day in 1993 or whenever I was in third grade, my father would always remind me of some of the following rules. I thought that this would be a good time to remind everyone about these rules, just because everyone needs a gentle reminder from time to time.

1. Everything you send, every website you visit, everything you type is there forever – Now I’ll be the first to say that I say what I want, when I want to, with or without censors, but I do have to put myself in check sometimes. Sometimes I do go overboard a little bit, and definitely don’t think what the consequences could be in the long run. Do I really want to be known as the guy that plagued the Internet with poop and jokes 5 years from now? Probably. 10 years? Most Likely. 20 years? Yep. 50 years? Well probably if I can still poop. Okay, bad example, but you get what I mean. Better example – Someone sent out a press release over the wire with my name on it since I was entry level, well the president’s name was spelled wrong and forever when you Google my name that release comes up. Thanks old boss!

2. Don’t ever meet up with people from chat rooms – Okay, well I can’t remember the last time that I was in a chat room, and I’m not underage anymore so I would think twice. Chat rooms = dangerous, twitter/facebook = okay? Well sort of. I think meeting up with people you have tweeted with is one thing in a group session…1 on 1 ouch, always prepare yourself for the worst. If someone finds out your personal e-mail and e-mails you to go out, be wary. Ever see that Dee Snider movie “Strangelands?” Well unless you want your mouth and eyes sewn shut be careful if someone puts extra effort to seek you out. Be even more careful if they figure out your real name…

3. Don’t post photos of yourself online – Solution – Post photos of other people

4. Be Wary of the online conversation – Hello! Everything is documented and what’s to stop someone from printing out a conversation and keeping it on file for blackmail? Yeah, I’m talking to you people that enjoy cyber sex, especially those doing that during office hours. Sign off! Come on people, wait a couple hours to get excited when you get home. Plus, bashing a coworker is never good either, you never know who may be standing there when that e-mail pops up

These are just four of the things I wanted to address, I’m anxious to see what else you all come up with. Sometimes we just need that refresher to bring us back to the basics.

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