Because Getting Plastered and Posting Pictures of Your Drunk Self on the Internet Seems Like a GOOD Idea???
Okay, this is one of those stories that evokes a big sigh and a “Kids today…” speech, despite the fact that I’m only 25 and supposedly still hip. Or whatever they call it now, those young whippersnappers.
A Facebook group called “30 Reasons Girls Should Call It a Night” features more than 172,000 members and close to 5,000 photos, according to a CNN Health article that describes it and speaks with some of the members.
Many photos on the site are accompanied by full names and the colleges the women attend, apparently without much concern that parents, or potential employers, will take a look.”You can’t overstate how unthinking these kids are at 18, 19, 20 years old,” said Robert L. Carothers, president of the University of Rhode Island, and a former member of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s Committee on Campus Drinking. “They’re not a thoughtful bunch, by and large.”
I’m sorry, but are these girls idiots? First we have the whole parents/employers factor. DON’T BE A MORON. Do you really want Mom/Dad/boss/math professor/the list goes on… seeing you trashed and half-naked straddling some stranger’s mailbox? Then we have the whole underage drinking factor. Do you not GET that posting photos of your drunk self on the net when you’re not 21 is proof that you’re breaking the law? Seriously, girls.
One of the moderators was quoted in the article as saying, “It’s just something fun to do… You need to be able to laugh at yourself sometimes.” How is being falling-down drunk funny? How is it fun? Not only are you putting yourself at increased risk for myriad health problems, not to mention situational danger of becoming injured while intoxicated, being raped after you pass out at a party where I’m sure the other guests will be equally as classy and self-respecting as you are and thus won’t really give a rat’s patootie, or giving yourself alcohol poisoning. You want to publicize this?
Girls, listen to me. I’m cool, seriously. But this is NOT COOL. It’s stupid. Have some self-respect, and realize that the people looking at these pictures aren’t laughing with you; they’re laughing at you because you’re being stupid. This is not fun or cool or something you’re going to be proud of in a few years when you look back on it. Just stop. Take your pictures down, get help for your drinking problem, and consider some therapy to work on the low self-esteem that makes this kind of attention feel like a good thing.
Am I being too harsh, or do you agree with me? Leave a comment and tell me what you think.
Addendum: Read The health pros and cons of drinking
Tags: womens health, woman, facebook, underage drinking, drunk photos
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POSTED IN: Alcohol and drinking, Controversial issues, Self-esteem, Young women
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6 opinions for Because Getting Plastered and Posting Pictures of Your Drunk Self on the Internet Seems Like a GOOD Idea???
Katharine
Dec 18, 2007 at 10:44 pm
It’s been 27 years since I was in college. Back then, the general public didn’t even known anything about the Internet and there was no such thing as a PC, so I guess I would qualify for membership in the Old Dorks Club. But even when I was in college, I wouldn’t have done anything that stupid. I wanted to be able to get a job in my chosen profession, so even though I let loose and had fun from time to time, I never did anything that might show me in a bad light.
Gabrielle
Dec 19, 2007 at 1:35 pm
On the same page as you, Kristen. Even though I have no incriminating photos of myself online, I do blog about a subject that’s very personal to many and I often wonder what future employers, friends, etc. may think if they google my name. I can’t imagine knowing, let alone actively posting, something that you could so easily regret later.
More than that, it is the situational danger aspect that bothers me. Sure the photos may seem fun and funny, but how many of those situations could have turned ugly or dangerous? Quickly.
Alicia Sparks, NAMI Affiliation Leader
Dec 19, 2007 at 7:02 pm
“…despite the fact that I’m only 25 and supposedly still hip. Or whatever they call it now, those young whippersnappers.”
You crack me up!
I watched a show about this very topic a couple of weeks ago. I don’t know if it was Glenn Beck or The O’Reilly Factor - it was one of the two. I remember bracing myself for the moment a picture of my sister would flash across the screen. Fortunately, for all parties involved, it didn’t.
In any event, not only has our society as a whole lost it’s ol’ moral compass, but it’s also terribly, if not completely, void of values. I’d like to slap some sense into the collective female face.
Kristen King
Dec 19, 2007 at 9:39 pm
@ Alicia - Amen, sister!
kk
Jul
Mar 5, 2008 at 8:35 am
So does that mean you disapprove of the photos of myself at the Strong Beer Festival I recently posted on my personal blog?
Just kidding… they are totally not like the pictures you’re describing. :)
Maybe colleges should start including “internet safety” as part of their orientation programs. The fact that these girls are using their full names is going to come back and bite them in the ass big time! What company doesn’t google prospective employees these days?
Kristen King
Mar 5, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Heh heh, Jul, you wild thing! ;) You know, the idea of a mandatory Internet safety and common sense course is a good one — but it would need to start in like sixth grade and be part of the regular curriculum to work, I think. The reason these college students are such morons is that this whole concept of online exposure has been working its way into their mind for years and it doesn’t occur to them that it’s NOT okay because they’re so used to it.
kk
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