I saw an article today that has me thinking… so I’d like to know your opinion.
A CNN article reported on a parent’s method for punishing her daughter’s inappropriate online behavior.
In short, the underage girl posted an Instagram picture of herself holding a bottle of vodka. The caption indicated she wished she was allowed to drink it.
The mother then had her daughter pose for an Instagram picture, this time holding a sign that said, “Since I want to post photos of me holding liquor, I am obviously not ready for social media and will be taking a hiatus until I learn what I should and should not post. Bye-bye.” The girl’s face is only partially shown.
On the one hand, I suspect the consequence will be highly effective in making the child think twice before posting items online. At the same time, the consequence has an element of humiliation – like a permanent, viral “dunce cap.”
So what do you think? Am I being oversensitive? What is the most appropriate way to correct irresponsible online behavior?
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The real question is, “Is there another method which would be equally effective, but lower-risk?”
That’s a great way of putting it! I’m not worried about the risk to the student – but I’m not sure it’s necessary to humiliate a child to correct a child. I am glad she didn’t show the child’s whole face.
What if it is not the “irresponsible online behavior” that needs to be corrected? What if issues that led up to a youth having access to alcohol and a desire to drink it are what needs the correction, the discipline, the punishment? What if an underlying problem exists in a society that finds it necessary to provide “social media” accessable world-wide while it decreases ‘real-life’ and in-person interactions?
Here is another thought:
What if mother and child sat down, had an open discussion about alcohol and its effects, captured it on a video and then (with redaction of faces), posted it?
Maybe the mother would have “learned a lesson” too…(?)
Love your thinking, Brent. I was pondering parent/child issues and online issues – but I hadn’t considered the societal issues underlying a child’s access to alcohol and desire for drinks.
Sometimes all a kiddo needs is “death by lecture.”
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Janet