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Facebook Frenzy Inappropriate information on Facebook can ruin your life.
by Ashley Jolicoeur
young person looking for a new friend to meet up with when in actuality, it is a person with bad intentions. According to Miami Northwestern School Police Officer Jerry Sutherland, “One good thing about social media is that it has helped put a lot of bad people behind bars. There have been many incidents where the people of the community have been arrested for things such as burglary, robbery and even murder because they boasted of their involvement on Facebook. Broadcasting your wrong doing on Facebook can ultimately hurt you in the long run.” What is a Social Network? The world of technology is changing as we know it and along with this change comes the use of social networks. A social network is an online community of friends, colleagues and others that all share the same interest. Social networking has contributed to the growth of many companies and businesses. Over the years, social networking communities have grown exponentially including the big names such as Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr. Facebook, which was originally designed for college students, has caught the eyes of nearly 73 million teens. Teens use Facebook to keep in touch with friends, find long-lost ones and to keep up with the latest trends. Unfortunately, Facebook has also been a platform for posting inappropriate information. While many teens think they are just sharing harmless posts, pictures and videos, they’re not taking into consideration the bigger picture and how this can affect them in the future. You never know who’s watching. According to USAToday, many companies, colleges and universities sometimes peruse Facebook profiles to find out if applicants are misrepresenting themselves. Many teens applying to universities and jobs overlook this. Admissions officers and potential employers have often denied applicants because they have inappropriate content posted for the world to see. So it’s always in your best interest to keep your Facebook posts very professional. Personal Dangers Beside the fact that colleges and major companies are watching you, there could be strangers watching you as well. Predators are always on the look out for young people to attack, and many of them use Facebook as their go-to source for prey. There have been numerous accounts of teens who are lured into online interaction under false pretenses, such as fake pictures, information and intent. Unsuspecting teens may think that there is an innocent 4 teen vision magazine
Protection Here are some simple tips to not only protect yourself on the internet, but also make a good impression to onlookers. Pictures: Do not post inappropriate pictures of yourself on Facebook. This includes pictures of you in revealing clothing or taking part in questionable acts, like drug use, drinking or illegal activities. As teenagers, you have to learn how to have respect for yourself, and pictures like these send the wrong message. Only put pictures you think your parents would approve of. Check In: Facebook is a great way to stay connected, find out what your friends are up to and let your friends know where you are. However, constantly divulging information can be unsafe, so stay away from broadcasting your every move. Language: The things you say on Facebook can hurt your image as well. Refrain from using vulgar, profane language in your Facebook posts. Many people are offended by such language, and universities and potential employers will frown upon your seemingly vulgar nature. Privacy Settings: An easy way to screen who can see the contents on your Facebook profile is by changing your privacy settings. You have the option to change what you want people to see and what you want kept private. Changing your privacy settings is the easiest way to protect yourself. Friends: Keep yourself on the safe side by only accepting Facebook friends who you are familiar with. Simply put, stay away from strangers, no matter how cute, nice or friendly they seem to be. Parenting: Officer Sutherland suggests that “Parents need to be more involved in their children’s social life. It is the parent’s job to build a bond with their children. Parents need to always let their children know about how to stay safe. Parents should have access to their child’s Facebook. They should also monitor what their child is posting on Facebook.” The objective is not to become a sheltered hermit, but to take precautions that could save your future. Now that is a “Status” to have. tv