It would be highly hypocritical of me if I would say that I do not miss using Facebook and if I would say it is useless or totally a trash. One year after I deleted my Facebook account, I admit that I miss posting "what's on my mind"; I miss sharing readings, pictures, or videos; I miss being informed about the travails of my friends, relatives, and former classmates.
However, admit it or not too, Facebook's role in today's generation has reached beyond limitations.
The latest issue on the two students of St. Theresa's College in Cebu is worth discussing. As an overview, STC barred two girl students from attending the graduation rites because they posted pictures (wearing bikinis and holding a bottle of liquor and a cigarette) on Facebook . School officials argue that this is against the moral values being forwarded by the institution. But on the other hand, parents of the FACEBUKING students argue that the Facebook of their daughters are private, and therefore the school is not supposed to have access to it. This means that the school's access was "illegal" and an invasion of their daughter's privacy, so to speak.
Allow me to present some of my opinions regarding the matter. I will try to be as objective as possible as I look into the issue from the perspective of a Christian, a Teacher (academician), and a human (dehumanized by social networks).
Facebook and the Academe
There has been a growing concern about cyber bullying among schools and universities because students are constantly becoming bullies and bullied, across ages, races, and social status. Progressive schools have acted quickly on this by amending school rules and regulations, including rules on how to avoid and reprimand cyberbullying and bullies.
Unfortunately, some students are still unmindful of what they post and the effects of these to classmates or friends. A classic example is uploading a "stolen shot" of someone sleeping or in his/her unguarded moments that are funny to other people but embarrassing to the bullied.
I am guilty of this and I admit that when I still have a Facebook account, I have bullied colleagues and friends. I am apologizing to those whom I "victimized".
As a means to correct this wrong attitude that I have developed due to Facebook addiction, I have modified some of the syllabi of the subjects that I teach and included discussions on Netiquette. I strongly encourage basic education teachers as well as tertiary educators to do the same. Most students are not aware of the damage they could do. They think it's their right to post anything they want.
If you ask me how to start, and argue about this "freedom" they are talking about. I'd suggest a classic and simple argument: THERE IS NO ABSOLUTE FREEDOM. While it is true that they have the right for freedom of expression, this freedom must not negatively affect other people. It must not be used as a tool for degrading another person.
I agree that STC has the right to uphold the moral values that it is founded on. However, if it is true that they have indeed invaded the privacy of the students, and if it is true that they did not provide due process in dealing with the case, then they are in a very big problem.
Facebook and Catholic education
Sadly, people are very quick to upload, comment, or "like" using Facebook without pausing for a while to think what the effects of their "clicking" activities are. One example of this is a teacher from a private school, who "liked" a photo uploaded by a student pointing a "dirty finger" on the school's logo. Either the teacher is an "impulsive clicker" or he/she is simply not a critical thinker.
Because we can easily connect to the social networking sites, we often forget to stop for a while and think about the effects of what we post.
What's alarming is that we are quick to post and repost non-sense things, but avoid "liking" and reposting uploads about Jesus.
STC is a Catholic school and it upholds Catholic virtues. If it will not make a stand, then there will be no difference between public education and Catholic education. If they give up the fight, they cease to exist.
Facebook and the the process of Dehumanization
Admit it or not, the internet has been slowly "dehumanizing" us. Because we face the computer most of the time, we fail to realize that what we post is seen and observed by human beings on the other side of the internet world.
The actions of the STC students are alarming because of their boldness to post "sexy" pictures (wearing bikinis) and to sashay their vices (liquors and cigars). I cannot help but wonder if at any point in their life, they have posted anything about the retreats or lessons that they have realized from recollections and other activities that Catholic schools offer. (I am not a catholic, by the way, so this isn't a defense for the church.)
But what's more alarming is the fact that the parents seem to just brush off the issue and tolerate the acts of their daughters. Don't get me wrong, I do not want to sound like "conservative" but I think the parents should have at least disciplined their daughters.
I could probably accept the wearing of bikini, anyway, I think it's a private swimming affair and that's the proper attire when you swim. But parents allowing minors to drink and smoke? I'm sorry to sound like "holy" here, but where's the value of the parents? Or let's try to move away from "morals", where's the concern of these parents to the HEALTH of their children? We know for a fact that liquors and cigarettes do NOTHING good to our body. Why do these parents allow their daughters to develop the habit of drinking and smoking?
I will probably not be able to understand them because I grew up in a family and a community where drinking and smoking is not acceptable and even damnable.
As a final note, I'd like to give a word of advice:
Parents, DO NOT ENROL YOUR CHILDREN TO CATHOLIC OR CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS IF YOU CANNOT ACCEPT THEIR RULES, REGULATIONS, AND MORALS.
Students, READ YOUR STUDENT HANDBOOKS AND UNDERSTAND THE RULES STIPULATED IN IT
Fellow internet users,LET'S BE CAREFUL ON WHAT WE POST. (Huwag magpa-FACE-Buking...na hindi ka sanay mag-isip.)
