In the age of social media, it's easier than ever to capture and share the incredible athletic feats of high school students. But as Reuters reports, this practice raises some thorny ethical questions that athletes, parents, and coaches would be wise to consider before hitting that share button.
The Allure of Viral Highlights
The thrill of seeing a jaw-dropping dunk, a last-second game-winning shot, or a touchdown that defies physics is undeniable. And for high school athletes, having those moments immortalized and shared widely can feel like a validation of all their hard work. NPR explores how highlight reels have become an essential tool for getting noticed by college scouts.
The Ethical Minefield
But what this really means is that young athletes, often minors, are having highly personal and vulnerable moments thrust into the public eye without their full consent. As The New York Times reports, this can open the door to harassment, bullying, and even the exploitation of these young people.
Three Key Questions
So before you share that game-winning shot or that display of athletic prowess, consider these three crucial questions:
- Has the athlete explicitly given permission for this footage to be shared publicly?
- Could this video be used to embarrass, harass, or otherwise negatively impact the athlete?
- Are you prepared to be a responsible steward of this content, monitoring comments and taking it down if necessary?
The bigger picture here is that we need to approach the sharing of high school sports highlights with the same care and consideration we would give to any other intimate personal content. Our recent analysis explored the nuances of this issue in depth. As Christmas Day Showdowns: The... reveals, the implications of this trend stretch far beyond the field of play.