The Other Side of Social-Networking: Open Post

As the popularity of technology and the Internet continues to grow, more and more people are joining the social media bandwagon. These days, very young children learn to navigate their ways online and make personal accounts on sites such as Facebook and Twitter. To most people these social-networking sites seems to be an uncomplicated and accessible way to communicate, keep in touch, and to share information with friends, family and peers. There is a sense of privacy on these sites that we choose and determine for how much of our profiles and personal details others can see. However, there is another side to social- networking that many people fail to consider.  

Currently, almost all high-school and college students use social websites such as Facebook and Twitter to narrate their personal lives and share stories and photos with their friends and peers. It is very common for many students to post photos from parties and social gatherings that involve alcohol and other offensive things. People tend to share very personal stories about themselves that often times give away too much information for other people to see. And while it all seems to be harmless and in good humor, there is one important point that many young adults fail to take into consideration. This important point is that many of their future employers and supervisors might stumble upon their Facebook page and see some of the offensive and derogatory photos or posts that will discourage them from hiring these students. It only makes sense that any employer who wants to hire a new employee, will want to have a small background check on who hey are considering for the job. These days, the easiest way to examine anyone on a personal level is through their personal facebook profile. 

I believe it is extremely important for both high-school and college students to remember that the things they post and share on social-networking websites, or anywhere else on the Internet could somehow be used against them. Young people often forget or fail to evaluate the consequences of their actions and choices. Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and other similar sites make it very easy for anyone to over-share personal information online that will not help them in the future.