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Think Twice Before you post
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Are you a blogger? I am. The popularity of social networking sites, such as Myspace, YouTube, Facebook, etc., is continuing to grow. Blogging allows us to express ourselves in new ways. Oftentimes it may be easier to write what we are feeling for total strangers to read than to verbally express ourselves to someone that is close to us. The end product, people are posting content and pictures that may be embarrassing, inappropriate, upsetting to others, etc. Until recently, the general public was generally unaware of the real consequences of what they write or portray – even if it’s done simply in the spirit of fun or as a joke.
The December 10th CNN article, “Young women drink, party, post” (http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH
So, here is the straight and narrow. Blogging has real consequences. There are legal liabilities. Yes, you can be sued for such acts as releasing confidential or proprietary information (deliberate or not) or defamation of character. You may be admitting to illegal activities on your blog, such as drinking underage, illegal drug use, fraudulent activity, shop-lifting, etc.
Another thing you may not realize is that corporate employers are checking! They are requesting your blogger profile, just as they do background or reference checks. And guess what, they will not hire you if you reveal undesirable activities online – this can be anywhere from inappropriate behavior to not portraying the corporate image they wish to project to simply appearing irresponsible or immature. And even after you are employed… Yes, they can fire you for your blog content! The substitute teacher that was fired not once but twice for his band/video content is only one such case. There have been cases in all walks of life that have resulted in termination of employment or serious fines; and in some countries, individuals have been imprisoned for openly sharing their online views!
The bottom line, think twice before you post. Think about your professional image, not just your personal one. You may think your personal life is not your employers business, but then you would be wrong – according to numerous corporate actions, court cases, convictions, etc.
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Comments
9 Responses to “Think Twice Before you post”
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Ever since MySpace became popular I have be telling this same thing to my friends. I am often amazed by what people post up on the web. I don’t understand why people think the web is a safe and private place. It is not even close that, it is more public then a public park! And what makes it worse is the government can request back-up tapes from companies and find would what you posted a year ago even if you deleted it. I only hope that people will begin to understand the impact and parents will teach their children the scope of their actions online.
It’s amazing how naive and short sited people can be. I always assume the walls at work can hear and treat the online world the same. Maybe we need a high school course on internet etiquette.
In internet all belongs forever, be carefull
I think that people should watch what they say, however, there is a moderate amount of legal cushioning. Also, I am the type to refuse to give my Myspace/Blog/Facebook/Etc. Account name to anyone who I may work for. Why? Because my social life is not my work life, and if they can’t understand that from the start, they sure aren’t gonna get it after I hire in.
Yeah, watch what you say, but don’t freak out over your net face. A company can’t reach you online if you set it up right.
Spot on! It’s amazing how much of an illegal footprint so many people leave. The worst is myspace. I heard of a teacher recently in our town that lost his job because people found his myspace profile and read his blog full of racism.
Very good advice pal.
Very good advice! “Think before you speak” has become “think before you blog”! I like your blog a lot!
Keep posting and I will keep coming back!
Ha! Ha! Ha! Oh my days! I’m really amused by the image above, some blogger having his b**t kicked. Lol.
Subconsciously, yes, I am a careful blogger, posting things that are safe to be read across the internet. If you are a conscientious individual, you quite know if you are within the boundaries of what is legal and what is okay to expose to the public. Things that you need to keep to yourself, it’s imperative not to talk about it on your blogs.
The Internet is not a vacuum. Seriously.