Our youth focus more on social media popularity contests than safety, and one of the millennial generation’s finest highlighted this extreme reality just last week.
Malon B. Neal, a 24 year old from Alpharetta, Georgia was arrested after driving 112 mph, claiming that he was doing so “for Snapchat.”
According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the man was charged with reckless driving, speeding, and using wireless communications while driving.
In a world where millennials interact through likes, 140 characters, and selfies, this story is not surprising, but it should serve as a wakeup call.
Neal could face a $1,000 fine and jail time up to one year for his silly stunt. While Neal is asking himself if it was worth it, the rest of us millennials should be asking the same type of questions and avoid similar situations.
Is it really worth harming yourself or others around you for a 10-second video?
It is bad enough that the social gatherings of millennials often consist of being glued to a screen while surrounded by friends — who are also glued to their screens. This, however, is taking it to an entirely different and dangerous level. Our cell phones will still be there when we finish our face-to-face conversations with friends and technology as a whole will only become more entrenched in our lives and social interactions, whether we like it or not.
With this in mind, there is a line that needs to be drawn: safety.
The distracted driving phenomenon has even influenced Washington State to implement a new law this past weekend that bans drivers from using handheld devices, applying makeup, and eating food while driving.
It is likely Neal was using the Snapchat filter to show off to his friends about how fast he was driving. Young people often brag about breaking the law to their friends on the internet.
Neal is not alone, last year a 29 year old drug dealer was arrested after bragging about his lavish lifestyle on Instagram while claiming to have no income. This man could be seen with rolls of cash, expensive cars, and other merchandise.
The Alpharetta Department of Public Safety reacted to the story on their Twitter:
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I couldn’t agree more.
Being glued to your phone and posting illegal activities for the world to see is your decision, but don’t endanger the innocent around us. You can surely seek attention in other ways.
