Consequences – recap
So, you now know that being arrested for illegal online behaviour involving children comes with consequences.
But some people report negative impacts on their life a long time before they are caught by the authorities.
- Is your illegal behaviour online starting to affect your relationship with your partner? Both, sexually and emotionally?
- Are the empty and negative feelings you experience after going online causing you to become grumpy and short-tempered with the people in your life?
- Are the long hours you spend online each night affecting your ability to succeed at work, because you are so tired?
Use the below exercise to get you thinking about the affect your online behaviour has had on your life already and what you are already losing.
Exercise: Losses and consequences
Remember that it is possible to lose an emotional or moral part of you, just as much as it is possible to lose something physical.
Loss can also be partial; it does not have to be all or nothing.
Tip: In order to get the most benefit from this exercise, try to be as honest as you can.
| Area of your life that… | …you have already lost | …you are at risk of losing |
|---|---|---|
| Education/career/employment | ||
| Relationships with family, marriage and children | ||
| Relationships with friends | ||
| Ability to be aware of your feelings | ||
| Financial/economic | ||
| Spirituality | ||
| Physical health | ||
| Mental health | ||
| Morals and values | ||
| Personal goals and objectives (both long and short term) |
Take a bit of time to reflect on this exercise. Seeing what your behaviour can lead to can really put things into perspective.
Now ask yourself – do the gains outweigh the costs?
Probably not.