The internet is not a safe place. Almost everyone that knows about the world wide web and its social media platforms, knows to be careful about what they put out there. One questionable post or picture, even sharing an article, can lead to something bad like, not getting the job you want, getting fired from your current job, unwanted attention, and a possibility of the authorities coming to you for questioning. We will discuss what you should and shouldn’t put on the internet whether they are on social media or putting out an article.
We all have some sort of social media account that we may or may not use every day. Truly, it doesn’t matter if you use it every day. It matters what you put on it. Anyone can search you up on the internet nowadays, so you should reconsider putting out that picture of you drinking a cocktail at that sports bar. If anything, always maximize your privacy settings on it.
Here are some things you shouldn’t put on the internet: “Your full Birth date, Current Location, Your Home Address, Your Real Phone Number, Pictures With Geo-tags, Vacation Plans, Embarrassing Things You Wouldn’t Want Shared With Your Employer or Family, Information About Your Current Job or Work-related Projects” (O’Donnell). Most of these are common sense or are okay if you have the right privacy settings on, but always be wary of outsiders wanting to friend you just because of where you are from a post. As well as having your real or full birth date/name because it’s just too easy to get.
These can backfire at you when you want a job or want to buy a house, or any big purchase. The people considering hiring you will check your social media accounts almost immediately to see if you have anything strange up or have anything to question. “…the worst thing you can do is make any kind of references to illegal drugs” as well as anything sexual (Davidson). Again, those are common sense, but some people just post whatever they want and that can forfeit a job.
Evidence can be found through the internet. Photos, videos, personal date, and information on your location can be used against you. “Police perusing a person’s LinkedIn will usually uncover a wealth of information about the individual’s education, employment history and job skills” (Allen). Just because your posts are set to private, doesn’t mean they can’t be seen. “The privacy settings on your social media accounts may not protect you from law enforcement investigators convincing a judge that access to the information in your account will disclose criminal activity” (Allen).
There are good things that can come out of posting on the internet. Gaining friendships through social media is stronger than ever at the moment. Depending on what comes up for you on the internet, you can get a job through it. Your connections, your friends, what you post (people tend to post what they believe in or what they like and maybe an employer likes the same things), and what you write about can lead to something greater.
To be final, don’t post anything you wouldn’t want your children, employers, or family to see. Nothing illegal, sexual, or “morally bad” on the internet, because anyone can search your name and those can pop up, even when deleted. Everything you post stays on the internet, so be wary. However, it can lead to good things depending on what you share or write. It also depends on who your employer is. Maybe they have completely different views than you and one political article share or post can erase that opportunity with them. Always use common sense before you post anything. Everything you post or share, stays there forever. And that can be difference between you getting hired, fired or going to jail or not.
References
Allen, T. (2017, January 12). Social Media Evidence – What can be Used Against Me? Retrieved June 09, 2017, from https://www.allenlawaz.com/can-my-social-media-posts-be-used-as-evidence-against-me/
Davidson, J. (2014, October 16). What Employers Look For On Social Media Profiles | Money. Retrieved June 09, 2017, from http://time.com/money/3510967/jobvite-social-media-profiles-job-applicants/
O’Donnell, A. (2017, June 05). 10 Things You Should Never Post on Social Networks. Retrieved June 09, 2017, from https://www.lifewire.com/things-you-should-never-post-on-social-networks-2487415
