Teachable Moment: Rep. Weiner's Bad Behavior

Headlines and news stories about Rep. Weiner's atrocious behavior have generated some supremely awkward moments for many moms and dads, but they're "teachable moments," says Frederick S. Lane, computer forensics expert and author of CyberTraps for the Young. Ethics discussions (and titters over the Congressman's last name) aside, Lane says there are five crucial lessons parents need to share with kids growing up in the age of social networks and online media. And Mr. Weiner's epic slip-up illustrates every one.

Rep. Weiner's Bad Behavior Yields
5 Teachable Lessons for Parents and Kids
By Frederick S. Lane

1. It's WAY TOO EASY to Be Stupid Online

Rep. Weiner is actually one of the more technologically-savvy reps. in Washington. But he got into trouble because he made a simple, careless mistake: typing the "@" symbol instead of "DM" for "direct message." There are an endless number of ways your child can be tripped up online.

2. Just Because You Can Do Something Online, That Doesn't Mean You Should

Technology makes it all too easy to take inappropriate photos or type inappropriate messages, and share them with the entire world. Often, it's only a couple of clicks of a button, which can make it incredibly tempting to do. But just because something is easy doesn't mean it's the right thing to do. Tell your child to "Think!" Will posting something online hurt family, friends, or his/her future?

3. If It's Digital, It's Public

As the Weiner fiasco demonstrates, if your child digitizes something, it is virtually inevitable that he/she will lose control of it. That's even more true if your  shares it on a social network site or via e-mail. Even if Rep. Weiner had typed his tweet correctly, he was still sending a digital file to someone who could save it, re-tweet it, post it to the Web, or sell it to a news outlet or blogger (most of which happened). As Stewart Brand once said, "Information wants to be free."

4. Employers, Colleges, and Journalists Will Find Out

All major employers and most of the better colleges are looking at social media sites when they review job or college applications. If your child has posted an embarrassing or inappropriate image, the odds are very good (regardless of your privacy settings) that it will be seen by someone making a decision about his or her future.

5. They're Called "Privates" for a Reason

Your child may think it's hysterically funny or irresistibly flirtatious to take explicit self-portraits and distribute them online, but it's just foolish, embarrassing, and dangerous to do so. Rep. Weiner may be an adult, but if kids are under the age of 18, they are violating state and federal child pornography laws if they follow his example.