Diligence when posting online is highly important topic because while the fingerprints on screens and keyboards may eventually be deemed untraceable, the words and content you leave behind will not be. Social media presence is a topic of controversy because the content you place in the social media realm can never fully be erased.
These days most people feel the need to validate their daily lives by preserving the moments via posts on their timelines, all the while knowing that their words can and may be used against them someday.
Dr. Felicity Duncan, a communications professor, said, “I do not think that you can be cavalier about how you think about your social media presence. It’s kind of easy to say ‘whatever’ and it’s hard for young people to think through long-term consequences but it is not a sustainable position to take. It’s a great position while you’re in college and it can very easily backfire when you get into a professional environment. If you’re really unlucky you can become one of these people who is publicly shamed and has their life ruined through something stupid they said on social media. It’s a small risk of a terrible consequence. It probably won’t happen to you, but if it does, it is life destroying so why take that chance?”
Knowingly, people post personal subjects about themselves even though it could prevent them from scoring the career they have been dreaming of and working tirelessly towards for years.
In a study done by the Pew Research Center it was shown that thirty-one percent of employed internet users have searched online for information about co-workers, professional colleagues or business competitors, up from twenty-three percent in 2006. Twenty-seven percent of employed internet users now work for an employer that has policies about how they present themselves online.
In a world where people are so aware of social media usage, it is naïve to think your name is not being searched online and that your accounts are not able to be found, even under aliases.
Kareem Calliste, assistant director at the Center for Career and Professional Development said, “Think about how once you’re done with school you will be looking for a job. Something that you did back in college, a foolish decision you made could come back to bite you when you’re ready to step into your career. So when you go to post those pictures of you double fisting with alcohol, have those things in the back of your mind.”
What you post now may seem relevant but it is important to anticipate how you may wish to be viewed in the future. Posting a photo from a party may make you seem popular and fun now, but is regrettable enough even when a family member sees it. Imagine an employer viewing the same content and dismissing you from your career without allowing you to explain yourself.
Nancy Hutchison, director at the Center for Career and Professional Development said, “From my experience in working at Cabrini, there have been students who have had jobs offers lined up, have said negative or offensive things on social media, and when it became obvious to their future employers, the job offers were reneged.”
Duncan added, “For those students who say ‘whatever, I’m going to take these chances. I just don’t care,’ you feel that way now, but you won’t always. Your perspective will change through time and since a lot of this content you’re creating persists through time and will be searchable, you might want to do the future you a favor and not create things that may be problematic. Think ‘if my kids google me, they’re going to be like ‘woah mom, what the hell.’ Think about that. Would you want your five year old to see that photo of you one day?”
Knowingly, people are subjecting themselves to these future consequences. Do your future self and the person you are becoming a favor and be diligent about what you are publicly sharing with the world.
