Why Social Media and Cameras are not Allowed on the Trip

Sunday, June 1st

This wise old owl will  be blogging every day from now on with advice on everything on what to pack to how much money to bring.  Once in Donegal, I'll blog our every move and include photos too!
Keep in touch.  Today's blog makes interesting reading for students and parents....

Why Social Media and Cameras are not allowed on the Trip

It seems so harsh to ban students from doing something they love - snapping images of themselves and their friends or posting messages to their global contacts on their social media accounts. 

And it wasn't an easy decision to take.

For many students it will be their first time away from home on their own, for all students their first time away in the company of just about all of their classmates.  What could be more natural than snapping images, posting messages, sharing them and keeping them for posterity?

So Why?

The trouble is 'sharing' might not stop with just those friends and family who have 'caring' at the heart of everything they do for our students.  Posting images online, even with 'privacy settings' can be risky and an innocently taken photo of one of our cherished young people - on the beach for example - might just end up being used inappropriately.

Unlikely to happen , but still.....

And we all know the role of social media and cyberbullying - and whereas we know and trust our students, the point is that they are young and can take foolish decisions, especially when a little intoxicated with the freedom of being away from home!  

And it can all happen with one simple click on a button on a phone or camera. 

€2 Well Spent!

Disposable Cameras are perfect.  I am reliably informed that they are available from the €2 shop!  

And I will snap images as we go.  In the past I have set them to music and made them available on DVD for a €4 charitable donation!

So....

Leave the cameras at home, bring a phone simply to receive or make a call home.  That way everyone has the best chance of staying safe and sound.