by Kacey Stapleton

Created on: September 05, 2010   Last Updated: November 25, 2010

You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of public opinion.  While Internet users will never benefit from  this slightly tweaked version of the Miranda rights when logging on to send an email, or upload a video it would be a friendly reminder. These words hold a truth everyone should keep in mind.  The case of Ghyslain Raza otherwise known as the

Star Wars Kid is a grim enough reminder. Raza is a young man who paid a steep price for a few minutes of goofing around with a video recorder and his story illustrates the possible dangers of a global community. Communities from around the world are linked closer than ever by social websites. Privacy and the ability to control one’s own image is slipping away in this new world.

A few props, a film recorder, and a bored Canadian high school student made for a bad combination when Raza alone for few minutes in a room with the equipment decided to record himself. Apparently, a fan of the movie Star Wars the 15-year-old is seen on the tape pretending a golf club is a light saber. Raza forgot about recording himself on film, but two other students discovered it, and posted the recording as a video on YouTube.  After being dubbed the Star Wars kid the teenagers embarrassing moment then went viral viewed over an estimated 900 million times according to an article in November of 2006.  The video’s success resulted in the boy being so derided and traumatized Raza finished out his schooling in a children’s psychiatric ward.  His parents sued the families of the other two students who’d posted the video and eventually settled out of court.  While there can be no doubt most of those who viewed the viral video thought it a harmless diversion, the cost to these three families is immeasurable.  This type of casual behavior having horrific consequences is common in the phenomena of viral emails, texts, videos, and images. 

Even the most infrequent computer users are usually aware of the possibility of credit card theft.  Unfortunately, when sitting down to type an email they never consider the possibility of anyone else seeing their thoughts and ideas.  Likewise, when we see a video camera aimed in our direction we never consider exactly how many people might see our image or actions. 

The truth is no email, website forum or supposedly private forum should ever be considered

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>