Social media is a form of electronic communication. Millions of users create online groups, pages, communities to share information, pass ideas and personal content (images, videos or messages). Our personal, professional and academics are connected online where we interact with our viewpoints.
7 Reasons why you should be careful when posting online:
1. Nothing is private including post, share, comment or an image
2. Your friends have friends and families
3. Recruiters, employers, investors, business-partners are looking at you online
4. People take humor differently, so maybe all of your jokes are not as funny as you think
5. Your posts and pictures are searchable and so are you
6. Just like food cans, your posts have a longer shelf life
7. Once your reputation is gone, it may take another life to build it up
5 Reasons of what you should ask before posting online:
1. Are you careful what you say in your e-mails, text messages?
2. Are you aware that your content can be forwarded to others? Screenshots and other image saving apps do exist.
3. Do you follow the general rule of not to say anything online if you don’t want everyone to read?
4. Are you clear about what to comment before you start typing on someone’s post?
5. Are you aware that your past, present and future employers are looking into your system?
3 pieces of suggestion:
1. Never write an e-mail/ text messages when you are emotionally charged. It is okay to get upset. If you badly need to write, write the e-mail down but don’t send and wait for a few hours. After that, come back to it and rethink if it is necessary to send that e-mail/ text messages.
2. Keep your information clear online. If someone is searching for you online, what they can find out?
3. Sharing and forwarding anything shows your personality to potential employers.
Social media is a great platform to connect with people. I think if you don’t have anything nice to say, simply don’t say it. If you are saying negative things, most probably the wrong person is going to find it out at a wrong time. If your posts are offending anyone, then you need to stand by. It is common to lose your job based on what you post online nowadays. Just be extra cautious.
Amna Khaliq is a Business Management Instructor at Northern Lights College. The views expressed are her own. She believes that kindness, smiles, love, and yawning is contagious. In her spare time, she likes traveling, cooking, reading and working out.
