forum to defame an ex-spouse's
parenting style, criticize your
children's teacher, spread the
word that your neighbor yells at
his kids too much or let everyone
know your business partner is a
thief. No matter how frustrated
you might become, always con-
sider the ethics of such a posting.

Avoid 'Road Rage'
Local technologist Shaindle
Braunstein-Cohen says that
lapses of good judgment on
Facebook are like momentary
road rage. She recommends tak-
ing a moment to consider where
the line of appropriate behavior
is.
"We all need to remember that
there is a division between our
public life and private life she
says. "The default should be to
take a timeout and think about
it. Ask yourself if it is good infor-
mation that should be shared, or
am I just angry?"
It may feel like posting on
Facebook is an innocent way to
share your opinions with a few
friends, but in actuality it can be
spread very quickly and become
part of the public record forever.
Before posting an update on
Facebook consider how it may be
received and whether any harm
could come of it.
Once your words are released
into cyberspace, they are like the
proverbial wind-scattered feath-
ers from the pillow in the Rosh
Hashanah children's story. It will
be impossible to ever collect
them once they're released. As
social networking sites continue
in popularity, we must remember
to prioritize ethical behavior
when sharing publicly. 1

'

Rabbi Jason Miller is a tech expert

T

Simon

Collection

On Display

Saturday,
Novemoer 5th

1 0:00am - 5:30pm

who writes about how information

technology and social media are

transforming the Jewish community.

He writes the 'Jewish Techs" blog for

New York Jewish Week and is presi-

dent of Access Computer Technology
(www.accesscomptech.com ), based

in West Bloomfield. His latest project

is Torah Daily (www.facebook.com/
torandaily).

248.644.1651 • 120 WEST MAPLE • BIRMINGHAM
MON - SAT 10-5:30 • THURS 10-8 • ASTREINS.COM

Sober 27 . 2011

17