The online hygiene campaign: Help saving the Internet

The Internet is sick.

I think I can speak in behalf of many people from my generation, who wondered back in the early 1990's what it is going to be like when the Internet becomes a global phenomenon, that this is not what we hoped for. Sure, we had some concerns, but we hoped that the ability to bring so many people into a free and open exchange of ideas domain, will make the world a batter and safer place, which many times it does, but more and more it doesn't.

The Internet is sick. There is a disease spreading trough the network, affecting users in an alarming pace and becoming more and more deadly every day. And by deadly, I mean that it really kills people. I'm sure you know what I am talking about. It is constantly on the news.

But there is something you can do about it. In fact there is allot you can do, and before I tell you what, let me add some more motivation. Even if you don't believe that you, or someone you care about is in immediate risk of becoming a victim of online spread terrorism or any other kind of cyber crime, consider this: If things are not going to change real quick, governments will start regulating the Internet and I am sure you don't want that to happen.

So what can you do? Well, like with many epidemics, it's all a matter of simple hygiene. Of soap and water almost. Let me spell it out for you in one simple idea:

Think before you click.

The Internet is a public place. It is in the interest of many online agents to make you forget that, but don’t let them. Think before you click. Think Hygiene.

Think - Is it really a good idea to send a post full of hard words and opinions put in the most extreme formulation? Or maybe you can rephrase and say things in a milder manner? And how about that ethnic joke or that porn picture? Maybe you can do without sending them?

Think - Are you really making a good point when you write a talk back full of hate, or it would be better to show some sympathy to an opinion, different than yours and then say why you disagree?

Think - Did you rally read a post or an article before you liked or shared them? Did you really understand what this video tries to communicate before you helped spreading it?

Think hygiene. Understand that this is how you can stop being an innocent aid to destroying the lives of other people and of the Internet.

And finally, please help me spread the word by sharing this article and coming up with your own articles, catchphrases, etc., to help this cause. It is very important. A matter of life and death!