Sign the Pledge

Orlando, FL Teen Launches “The Social Pledge” to help clean up social networking sites.

Orlando, FL – November 16, 2009

Bill Frank, a High School senior, has launched a campaign of voluntary commitment to avoid profanity and inappropriate photos on social networking sites such as Facebook, My Space, and Twitter and encourage “friends” and “followers” to do the same.

“I had always found it difficult to say to a friend on one of my social pages – hey knock it off-, this is the same Facebook page that I allow my family and relatives, as well as potential colleges and employers, to read. By simply informing a friend that I am a member of THE SOCIAL PLEDGE, they will understand I don’t want my circle of friends reading that kind of language. Therefore, he or she has to clean it up, or I drop them as one of my friends, without embarrassment,” said Frank, a student at Lake Highland Preparatory School, in Orlando, FL.

There are two other reasons for signing the Social Pledge. Participants will be helping to reverse the coarsening of our culture that many people believe is harming this country. Somehow, profanity just seems uglier when it is in print. Secondly, what you say or post on these sites may come back to haunt you in the future.

If you write it and post it, it can exist forever. It may hurt you when being considered for college, by a prospective employer, or a future relationship, or maybe during a run for political office. You would be surprised how some things have a way of popping up when people start digging. Sadly, this happens every day. We heard of one example where two high school girls with similar grades and resumes were applying to the same college. When one was accepted and the other was not, the mother of the rejected girl sent a transcript of an embarrassing Facebook conversation to the college Dean with words to the effect: “You should know what your newest student is REALLY like!” Frank says, “Anyone who follows politics knows the words “opposition research”. For those of you who may not know, it means people will dig into your past trying to uncover anything and everything that may hurt or embarrass you. Think of Miss California, Carrie Prejean! Do not give them ammunition”.

Bill is hoping to have One Million students take the pledge by graduation this spring. People may sign The Social Pledge here or to receive more information, please e-mail: info@thesocialpledge.com Or Call 407-574-0246

Bill Frank, Senior, Class of 2010

www.thesocialpledge.com