Nationally recognized speaker delivers powerful message on digital citizenship, online safety, and the responsibility that comes with living in a connected world.
The things we say matter. The way we treat others matters. And in a world where a single click can reach thousands of people in an instant, the choices we make behind a screen can carry consequences far beyond what we ever imagined.
That was the message nationally recognized speaker Ben Tracy brought to Xavier High School on Tuesday, challenging students to think critically about their digital footprints, the dangers of social media, and the responsibility that comes with having a voice in an increasingly connected world.
For a generation that has never known life without smartphones, social media, and constant connectivity, Tracy's presentation offered more than a warning about the dangers of technology. It was a call to action, reminding students that character, integrity, and compassion should not disappear when a conversation moves from the classroom to a screen.
Since 2018, Tracy has spoken to more than half a million students, parents, and educators across the country, sharing a message rooted in education, personal responsibility, and the very real consequences of online behavior. His presentations explore the influence of social media algorithms, the growing presence of artificial intelligence, and the ways technology can shape the decisions young people make every day.
For Xavier senior Ethan Taylor, one of the most eye-opening moments came when Tracy explained how social media platforms can amplify negative content to generate engagement.
"When Ben Tracy mentioned how negative content is deliberately pushed in order to maximize engagement on social media, it reminded me to be more cautious of interacting with content on my feed," Taylor said.
But it was Tracy's discussion of cyberbullying and its devastating consequences that left the deepest impression.
Taylor reflected on the lives lost to online harassment and the responsibility young people have to recognize when someone is struggling. Rather than remaining silent, he emphasized the importance of identifying victims of cyberbullying and seeking help from trusted adults before the consequences become irreversible.
The presentation also challenged students to consider the lasting nature of their online activity. Every comment, photograph, message, and interaction contributes to a digital footprint, one that can follow them long after they have put their phones away.
"This presentation reaffirmed my belief that while social media serves as a great way to connect with people you know, everything you interact with becomes a digital footprint, and so you have to be careful with what content you choose to share, like, or post," Taylor said.
Tracy's message extends well beyond school auditoriums. An accomplished ultrarunner, he completed a remarkable 3,125-mile journey across America in 2024, running 120 marathons in 125 days to raise awareness about the dangers children face online and honor those whose lives were lost to social media-related harms.
It was an extraordinary physical undertaking in service of a deeply personal mission: helping young people understand that what happens online has real consequences in the world around them.
For Xavier, the conversation reinforced an essential part of the school's mission to educate young men of character, faith, and integrity.
The values students are expected to demonstrate in the hallways, classrooms, and communities they call home must also guide their behavior in the digital world. Respect does not end when a screen turns on. Neither does accountability. And the responsibility to look out for others is no less important simply because the interaction takes place online.
Taylor recognized that these conversations are particularly important for teenagers, whose decision-making abilities and understanding of long-term consequences are still developing.
"Educating young people is so important because what an adult knows is wrong online a kid might do, purely out of emotion or lack of awareness of the consequences," Taylor said.
He also acknowledged how easy it can be for young people to say or do things behind a screen that they would never consider doing face-to-face.
It is precisely why conversations like Tuesday's matter. Technology will continue to evolve. Social media platforms will come and go. The challenges facing young people in the digital world will undoubtedly change.
But the principles that guide good decisions, treating others with dignity, thinking before acting, and understanding the impact of one's choices, remain constant.
For Taylor, the presentation ultimately came down to a simple but powerful realization about the influence every person has on the lives of others.
"Just as how you can affect people's lives in person, whether positively or negatively, it is tenfold as effective online," Taylor said. "It is up to your discretion and moral compass to decide whether you will act for the good of the world or hide behind a screen and live in ignorance that you aren't part of the problem."
It is a lesson that extends far beyond the digital world and one that speaks directly to the young men Xavier strives to develop.
Because character is not defined solely by what someone does when others are watching.
It is also defined by the choices they make when they believe no one is