Social Networking: Leaving A Paper Trail Of Self-Incriminating Evidence Behind Us!

I recently ran across an article, “Post Now, and Forever Wish You Hadn’t“ about information we post on social networks, blogs and forums about our selves. This is one of the problems with social networking and people’s openness to it. Much of this private information could be viewed by your current or future boss, “or your mom” or grandma or great ant.

A CareerBuilder.com survey published last week shows that 20% of employers are now researching social networks when considering job candidates.

People will add everything about themselves on social networks. What drugs they do. “How drunk I was last night”, and the pictures and videos to prove it. Does your boss or business associate really need to see how much of a looser you are on a Friday night? Probably Not.

What if your grandma types your name in Google tomorrow? Will there be a web cam picture of you drunk with a cigarette being held up by two ugly drunk chicks who you don’t remember anyways? OK this isn’t the worse thing that could be put online but you get the point.

Rockey Mountain News even went so far as to add Twitter updates on a 3 year old girl’s funeral.

I think we have to use a bit of discretion when we’re posting content, pictures, videos etc. about our selves on the internet. We need to ask ourselves, “Does this look bad?”, “Can this have an affect on my image?” If all else fails, use common sense.

“There is a lesson here for all of us: In an online world, just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” – Simon Ashton