• strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_argument::init() should be compatible with views_handler::init(&$view, $options) in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/handlers/views_handler_argument.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter::options_validate() should be compatible with views_handler::options_validate($form, &$form_state) in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/handlers/views_handler_filter.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter::options_submit() should be compatible with views_handler::options_submit($form, &$form_state) in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/handlers/views_handler_filter.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter_node_status::operator_form() should be compatible with views_handler_filter::operator_form(&$form, &$form_state) in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/modules/node/views_handler_filter_node_status.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.

Use of social media to vilify is disturbing

The advent of social media provided us with a fun and immediate way to connect with family and friends, especially those with whom we have lost touch.
We love to scroll Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to find out what our friends are up to, check out their photographs and comment on their accomplishments and events.
Unfortunately, the good side of social media has brought an ugly side with it. People are using social media to gripe about cold meals at restaurants, politics, poor parking and driving habits, local politics and a myriad of other issues.
This week, the Star Tribune brought to light another piece of evidence of the dark side of social media — the criticism and vilification of high school coaches.
High school coaches have always been a target for parental anger. People in Minnesota are passionate about high school sports, and they are protective and defensive of their children. Sometimes that passion and protective instinct meld into some pretty heated emotions directed at high school coaches. It is not uncommon for spectators to see an upset parent confronting a coach on the gym floor or out in the parking lot.
Now people are turning to an even more public venue to vent their frustrations — social media. And that means some very good high school coaches are turning in their whistles and locker room keys and walking off the fields and out of gymnasiums.
According to the Star Tribune, two longtime coaches recently turned in their resignations, and blamed careless social media behavior. One was Tony Scheid, who coached the Stillwater girls’ hockey team to two state championships. He resigned in April. Brad Grimmius of Worthington resigned as head football coach after six seasons. He also cited negative social media reactions as a driving force in his decision to step down.
Those of us in traditional media have learned to play within the rules. We try to be careful, fair and to not offer undue criticism. Traditional media, such as newspapers, have been around long enough that those of us in the profession have learned just how devestating an inaccurate report can be to people.
Because of our efforts to be fair and accurate, the government is mostly unwilling to impose any more rules upon us than the longstanding libel laws that exist.
The problem with social media is there is no publication day, nor five-second delay. The posts and tweets are immediate. Even if someone regrets their impulse and removes the post or tweet, the damage has probably already been done.
So take a deep breath, count to 10, take your pulse and give careful thought before you hit the post, tweet or send button.
If we cannot control our own actions, the government will take steps to control them for us. The best way to preserve a freedom is to practice it wisely.