Twitter is a wonderful, spontaneous way of communicating in short bursts and it complements all the other many and varied forms of media.
But, in the wrong hands, it can be a disaster. Why do so many people get into such a mess?
Elgin City FC community coach Chris De Sykes has become the latest unwary tweeter to fall into this trap.
His foul-mouthed and abusive comments about footballer Kris Boyd, as he signed for Rangers, got him red-carded by Elgin City, who promptly sacked him.
What makes some people act so recklessly without a thought for the likely consequences?
Lack of judgment is probably the answer. De Sykes is a young man, but that is no excuse. It is having the sense to know what is right or wrong. Once something is written and committed to print or digital format, it’s there for the world to see and it won’t go away.
The consequences are worse if the perpetrator also happens to be in a position of influence and responsibility, as De Sykes discovered to his cost.
There is no end to the number of people making the same silly mistake.
