Name:
Elise Eiden
High School:
Magnificat High School
Essay:
An irresponsible decision, swerve of the tires, a split second of lost control can be the unnecessary end of a young life. There is no doubt that considerable effort has been made to keep teenagers from driving drunk. Legislation has been enacted which restricts teen drinking and driving. Commercials, television programs, and educational films have graphically demonstrated the devastating results of drunk driving. Future technology will prevent drunken drivers from even starting their car. Mandatory classes include information regarding the dangers of drunk driving, and schools often invite victims or offenders to speak to their students. All of these methods are very effective, but the problem still exists-we still need to do more.
Adults generally develop these programs for students, using conventional media (such as network television or videos) to reach the students. But consider what teens actually use to receive information and communicate with each other -Facebook. While you may be aware of it, you might not realize how effective of a communication tool it is. On Facebook, each user has a unique profile. Users can send private messages to others, post publicly on their "wall", post pictures and videos, and add details to their profile that allows friends to know more about them. Users can join "groups" of people with similar interests [i.e. memorial groups for those who have died, groups of those who have gotten into a certain college, etc.]. Teens use Facebook to stay connected with their friends, meet new friends with similar interests, receive help with homework, and learn information about different causes and organizations.
I propose that we use Facebook to communicate with teens in the format they prefer. Friends have always had an undeniably heavy influence on teenagers. They feel they owe far more loyalty to their friends than to any adult and will go to great lengths to not let their friends down. Oftentimes, this leads to irresponsible decisions. I believe this same allegiance can be used to protect and dissuade them from drinking and driving. If teens joined a group that committed not to endanger themselves by drinking and driving, they would be less inclined to do so-not only would they be hurting themselves, they would feel the peer pressure not to betray the trust of their friends.
Many teens may not want to directly discuss this with their friends-not to "control" friends by telling them how to act and, in the process, endangering their friendship. But if invited to join a group devoted to the same purpose, it would be much less threatening.
This is where Facebook plays its role. A Facebook group could have many diverse portals-those affected by drunk driving could share their stories in a discussion board or post pictures of their personal consequences of drunk driving. They can promise to make responsible decisions. This group could appear on their profile, so others can see that this person has made a responsible decision and influenced to do the same.
The group could also be promoted through advertising on Facebook, inexpensively and effectively targeting the teen demographic. Links could be provided on the group's page that would allow teens to view the messages usually conveyed by conventional media on demand and through the privacy of their computer. This group would allow the message against drunk driving to infiltrate all groups of teenagers in a way convenient and effective for them.
Teenagers need to be protected. Use of Facebook would be a tool to help them protect themselves.
