Ahh, the Internet, preserver of memories. Last night’s “American Idol” featured a medley by former disco stars Freda Payne (“Band of Gold”), Thelma Houston (“Don’t Leave Me This Way”), and Harry Wayne Casey, of “KC and the Sunshine Band” fame (“Get Down Tonight”). They have all aged, yes. They have sounded better in days gone past, sure. Their wardrobes could have used a bit more restraint, granted. But they get kudos for going up there and belting out their hits without a trace of irony or sheepishness. And in that display is a great lesson to all of us as parents.
More than ever, the things we do don’t just fade away into history — these days they’re likely to hang around as text on someone’s blog, or as a hastily-shot photo on Flickr, or as a cringe-worthy moment recorded and posted on YouTube. In this Age of Immediacy, we can call up our memories online, both good and bad, and relive them. Even more important: our children will be able to, as well.
So consider your actions. Think about what you put into the world. If you use Twitter, compose your tweets with a mind toward the fact that Google has access to it all. Remember that pictures submitted to Picasa can be saved to someone else’s hard drive and saved. And if these thoughts alarm you, keep in mind that it works in reverse: Your proudest moments can go online, too. Someday your kids will want to see what you were like when you were young, strong, and fearless. What you show the world will tell them a lot about themselves, and will help them understand you as well. Rather than being divisive, your history can unite. Rather than inducing shame, it can evoke pride. Most of all, try to live in such a way that at any moment, someone could walk up to you with a video camera, play back the last 15 minutes, and leave you with the feeling that you’ve acquitted yourself well. Your kids will be the better for it.
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