Ethical Dilemma

                    Decision Making

An ethical dilemma is when you are faced with a problem or decision, in which you question your ethics and beliefs. You are stuck between doing what is popular, or doing what you believe is right. An ethical dilemma can be prevented by being very strong in your morals and ethics, and learning that in some situations, there is no grey area. By learning that most things are black and white.

In the ethical dilemma that Mark faced, many different conflicts arose, that would sway what he would do. He wanted to be popular, but not a snitch. He wanted to maintain his social standing, but felt as if Christa was being subject to cruel bullying. He was put in a very awkward and unfair position, and was then faced with a decision he shouldn't have had to made. 

The Facebook page on was private, and in a ideal world the postings shouldnt have had to be monitored. Yes, they have to freedom to post whatever they want. But that does not mean they have the right to degrade a poor girl's reputation for laughs. That's where the morals of the members of the page would have to come into play.

     Often times we all feel the small feeling in our gut to alert us that something isn't quite right. Call it our conscience, call it intuition, call it God; call it whatever you want. But it's that warning, that feeling that something is about to go terribly wrong, and you're caught in the eye of the storm. I have been in this situation many times. Personally, I deal with it in many ways. I ask for guidance, by God or by trusted adults, then I try to slow down the whirlwind of events and problems by slowing down myself; taking a breath, and letting it be.

     If the rest of the community had gained access to the Facebook page with Christa's distorted picture, I think the school should discipline the students who posted and encouraged the photo. Though the students who did nothing, are as wrong as the others, they were not encouraging it. I believe it's a school issue because parents entrust their child's safety with the school. Mental safety, as well as physical safety. The kids who put that in jeopardy should be punished to discontinue copy cat situations in the future.

     When using the internet, we all have responsibility. Think of the amount of young, impressionable children who spend a lot of time on the internet. We need to exercise the correct morals and ethics that we wish the future generations to maintain.

     Mark has many options. He could either...

                      1. Tell the administration of his school.

                      2. Confront the students who posted the picture, and tell them to take it off.

                      3. Make a post himself, about the picture and ask for it to be taken off.

                      4. Ask his parents for guidance.

                      5. Do nothing.

If I was in Mark's shoes, I would confront the students who posted it, and ask them to take it off. I would tell them that it was highly inappropriate and completely unneeded. I would then, give them an ultimatum. If thy did not take it off the Facebook page, I'd go to administration and turn them in.