In today’s digitally connected world, our digital presence is not just an extension of ourselves; it is our presence to the outside world. From the words we tweet to the videos we share, our online identity tells a story that anyone can read: future employers, friends, strangers, and sometimes cyber-vigilantes. As we explored in class, this has given rise to a complicated culture of cyber-vigilantism and online shaming. These developments raise an essential question: Is digital justice truly just?

There is something empowering about the way the internet can hold people accountable. When no legal action can be taken, cyber-vigilantism sometimes does the job. We’ve seen cases where racism, abuse, or corruption is exposed by everyday users, and the public responds with outrage. In this sense, online shaming can serve as a check on harmful behaviour, keeping people honest and making them think twice before posting something reckless or offensive. It can democratize justice in a way, allowing the public to speak out when institutions remain silent.

But that power comes with serious consequences. As we discussed in class, the court of public opinion online is harsh, unforgiving, and often biased. What’s funny to some might be cruel to others, and tone is so easily misunderstood in text. A sarcastic tweet or an out-of-context clip can be re-shared thousands of times and misinterpreted completely. Once you’re “cancelled,” redemption is impossible. There is no lawful court on the internet. Once you’re judged, the sentence is often permanent. Worst of all, there is no guarantee that the public even got the facts right.

This leads to a toxic environment where silence feels safer than honesty. Jon Ronson’s final line, “The smartest way to survive where everyone is heard is to remain voiceless,” is getting more and more powerful as it ages. When the risk of being misinterpreted is so high, many choose not to speak at all, which is harming the ideal that everyone has a voice. Is that the kind of digital world we want to live in?

This is why digital literacy is more important than ever. Students must be taught not only how to protect their digital footprints but also how to use them responsibly. A rule of thumb might be: don’t post anything you wouldn’t say at work. Our online actions are permanent records, ones that future employers, educators, and even friends can access. It’s crucial for students to reflect on what their online identity says about them and whether it aligns with who they want to be.

That said, our digital presence shouldn’t just be about what not to do. There’s a real opportunity here to teach students how to leverage their online identities for good. I believe younger students should begin by practicing in safe, private, monitored blogging spaces where they can learn what is appropriate and what isn’t. Older students, equipped with a deeper understanding of responsibility, should begin blogging publicly. When used wisely, a digital footprint can be a powerful tool to use as an outlet.

In the end, the internet reflects us, good and bad. The challenge is to help students become mindful of their power in this space: to know when to speak, how to speak, and what their words might mean to someone else. Online shaming may never go away, but education can ensure that empathy, understanding, and integrity aren’t lost in the chaos.