March 30, 2010
Staying Safe With Social Media
Almost everyone uses social media, whether it’s for your own business, your own personal use, or to keep up to date with friends and family. While our lives may be run by Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and RSS feeds, we must be cautious of what we say or do on these very public websites. Specifically with Facebook, a genius networking tool invented to keep friends in touch and reunite you with your elementary school sweetheart. Utilizing this networking tool could be very helpful however it could also be detrimental.
It’s been reported, across the web and in University job-prep courses, that Facebook is not as private as people think. Many companies hire employees to specifically hack into pages to see what’s behind your resume and J.Crew suit.
Here are some stats courtesy of Mashable and Proofpoint’s (an internet security firm) recent study of companies with about 1,000 employees:
- 17% reported social media use-related issues
- 8% of employees (in the US) have been FIRED because of social media use
- 15% of employees have been disciplined for posting issues
- 17% reported disciplining employees who violated posting/forum rules
There are a few ways you can avoid these problems on Facebook:
1. Keep your pictures clean! Even if you’re of-age, many employers will frown upon your wild St.Patty’s day 2010 pictures.
2. Utilize the privacy settings. These may not give you 100% protection but it’s a step in the right direction. Choose Limited Profile and update specific settings so that only the people you want looking at your Facebook can see it.
3. Use your noggin! Don’t post incriminating facts, stories, status updates, etc on your Facebook page. The world of Facebook and probably all your friends don’t need to know about your wild antics and waking up in prison the morning after your bachelorette party. Keep it simple.
This can even branch out into your personal life and career. There have been reports of tenants posting wild photos online from a party in their home, getting evicted by landlords for misuse of property/ lease violation.
The net-net here, is be safe with social media. Here at Response, we urge you to keep it clean and make sure you get the most out of your social media experiences.
Happy Networking!
