Matric Madness

Silly season is almost upon us.  Many Grade 12 pupils have finished school lessons and are already on study leave with the final exams looming.

Every year there are stories of over exuberant teenagers getting too excited too soon and doing something stupid before writing their final exams.  In the past this used to happen without the general public being the wiser.... now we have Facebook and Instagram to keep us posted on the end-of-year shenanigans.

It critical for teenagers to remember that Universities have not yet made their final offers for placement and that their future spots at their coveted institution will not be confirmed until they get their final results.  An ill advised post before those exams are done and the offer is confirmed may easily result in a young hopeful losing their place.  It has happened increasingly in the recent past and it is very likely to happen again.

Sadly if teens are to post regrettable content on social media or provide proof of outrageous behaviour they will have little legal recourse in their favour.

They need to be warned that their online reputation can be tarnished in the blink of an eye and that the consequences may last longer than a hangover.  The message is to be as sensible as they can during this critical time.  They have made it through 12 years of school... they should not ruin it all in 12 seconds online.

Verlie Oosthuizen

Shepstone & Wylie Social Media Law Department