We also need to recognize the risks of blogging/tweeting, which include opening avenues for abuse. We should not be throwing students into the public domain to discuss sensitive topics without having conversations with them on what they might face and which of these risks they are willing to take, how they would handle it, and how they might support each other. Then we should give them a private option if they so choose.
Often times, the idea that tweeting and blogging are so public is overlooked. When encouraging students to use these public areas, it is important to remind them of the different possible outcomes. Yes, they may be able to voice their opinion with no repercussions, but there is a chance that their opinions may be argued and it is important that they know how to properly handle a situation such as this. By making these possibilities clear, student online experience can be enhanced by a significant amount. This also allows for a safer user experience and can prevent students from putting information out into the open that they may regret later on.