<p>Hey all, I just finished taking a practice SAT online at collegeboard, and was excited to see they they gave me a 12 on the essay. I was expecting improvement on the essay compared to the first time I took the SAT, but not by this much. Granted, their computer software did grade it, but it must have felt I met the guidelines that were needed in the essay.. Feel free to give me a grade of your own and give me any feedback possible!</p>
<p>Essay Prompt: Nowadays nothing is private: our culture has become too confessional and self-expressive. People think that to hide one’s thoughts or feelings is to pretend not to have those thoughts or feelings. They assume that honesty requires one to express every inclination and impulse.</p>
<p>Adapted from J. David Velleman, "The Genesis of Shame"</p>
<p>Assignment: Should people make more of an effort to keep some things private? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.</p>
<p>My Essay: In today's world, people have the ability to control the privacy in their lives. However, I feel that people need to become more aware of the importance of privacy and prevent themselves from future embarrassment. Social media is one way that people neglect their own privacy. People face emotional harm on websites such as Facebook and Myspace, where they encounter people that have evil intentions. Though there are positives to social media sites, there are also many cases where people commit suicide or face emotional depression because their privacy is exposed. It has become clear that nobody's privacy is safe in the world that we live in. We need to take control of our privacy in order to ensure our safety and well-being.
Social media sites has proven that nobody's privacy is ensured of protection. People are unaware that not protecting their privacy results in verbal attacks and embarrassing one's life. Facebook and Myspace give millions of people the freedom of exposing their lives on these social media websites. From posting pictures of themselves at parties and other events, to allowing any user to see what is happening in their daily lives, is a big issue. People have the opportunity to limit their daily activity on these sites to close family members and friends. I see no point of allowing my personal life to be shared among hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of people that aren't even close to me. I realize the possible consequences of neglecting your own privacy and opening yourselves to future harm from other people.
Unfortunately, people find ways to take advantage of one's privacy on these social media sites. Many people, specifically teenagers, face "cyber-bullying" on websites such as Facebook and Myspace. As teenagers, we are not mature enough to realize the implications of exposing our privacy. By allowing inappropriate pictures of one's self to be uploaded onto these networks, there are people looking to make one's life miserable. Many bullies embarrass these individuals at local schools, and in many cases on other public websites. These cruel actions lead to unfortunate scenario's of suicide and depression. The mistakes that are made by these people lead to saddened families that wish to have been more of an influence. In the end, it is up to the parents to take action by making sure their kids are guaranteed protection. Parents realize the best options available for their children, and must set the example in order for these children to live a happy life.
We must understand the importance of privacy, and how it can affect a person's life. While social media sites bring happiness to friends and family alike, it also allows evil individuals to take advantage of these people. An example needs to be set regarding the issue of privacy, which can only be beneficial for our safety.</p>