Did you ever post mean comments online?

Have you ever posted mean things online? Listen to three people talking about their experiences.

Instructions

Do the preparation task first. Then watch the video and do the exercises. Remember you can read the transcript at any time.

Nick: Shamefully, the answer is yes. Growing up, I most definitely posted mean things online. Sometimes about complete strangers, sometimes about people I went to school with, and then other times, even about my friends!

De'Graft: I've definitely sent messages whereby, maybe an hour later, I've thought, hmm, should I have said that? And there are definitely things that I have said since then, which maybe years later I thought, hmm, I'm not, I'm not really happy with that.

Katie: I commented, 'This is the worst art, you're very rubbish', just being really mean. Not necessary, not needed.

Nick: Normally it was like an in-joke, or something that happened at school, or, you know, something that we'd been talking about.

Katie: The person commented back, saying that I'd really hurt their feelings. I started crying because I felt so guilty for saying such mean things.

De'Graft: If you ever post anything online that you do feel worried about, please make sure you talk to a trusted adult or maybe you might even want to talk to your friend.

Nick: It's all about how you deal with those things afterwards. You know, apologise to the person that you may have upset.

Katie: Don't comment mean things that you wouldn't say to someone in person.

Nick: If it's somebody that you know, let them understand why you did it. If it was a joke, you know, it's not an excuse but at least you're offering some kind of explanation.

De'Graft: Online life can be filled with loads of different surprises, but, remember, should anything throw you off, you can talk to an adult you trust or you can check out tips and advice from Own It.