Social Sites+Social Dirt=Social Responsibility

There are plenty of social sites that today’s “users” can join. From MySpace to Facebook, the options are unlimited and one can choose from a multitude of diverse social sites. Although these sites are free, and can be highly beneficial for certain things, what price are you paying to be a part of these social links?

We all know that cyber communities are the communication tool for the future and there are many features that make social sites fun and interesting. For example, on most sites you can upload photos, make photo albums, poke or email other users, track activity of your extended network (friends) via a mini feed, create invitations, leave comments on other users’ pages and join and create groups. Along with these positives come the negatives that students and professionals should approach with caution.

Although you may think the information given on these social sites is private you may be in for a big surprise. In a recent survey of CSU-Pueblo students, 85 percent said that they had not read the user agreement on their site of choice. And when presented with specific quotes from the agreements students were aghast and panicked that they had willingly given up such critical information for public use. Even if you set the privacy settings high there’s still a good chance that your information isn’t really private. These sites may expose confidential information, show or give incriminating evidence, give others the opportunity to copy or download private photos or images and risk the privacy of you, your family, friends and employer. 

In today’s fast paced, competitive world of employment opportunities, it is also not unlikely for employers to use these sites as a way of “screening” employees and potential employees.  Whether you think it is “fair” or not the information you put on cyber communities is public information and employers are using it as a research tool for hiring and firing employees.

CBS news correspondent Sharyn Alfonso reports that an estimated 20 percent of companies are secretly scanning online profiles before they interview applicants. ExecuNet research shows that 75 percent of recruiters use search engines to uncover information and 26 percent of these recruiters have eliminated candidates because of information found.  

About one in three seekers have been eliminated because of their information on social networking sites.

These numbers are striking and show that these sites aren’t always as private as you may think. Along with friends and family your future employer may have access to your social information, some of which may or may not be appropriate or give you the image of the next CEO of a company. If you are a user you should always know what you’re getting into, as well as be socially responsible when using these sites. Cleaning up your “dirt” is something that you should definitely do, especially if you question for even one moment if what you see is inappropriate or unbecoming of you.

Start the cleanup today!  There are many ways you can try and change your online image, and to employers these things may make a huge difference.  First, “Narcisurf”, or self searching, is a way to find out about your online reputation. Research google.com, yahoo.com, msn.com or other search sites and search your name, along with searching for images. Next, have a pair of fresh eyes look at your site and give honest opinions about content (the Career Center on campus will also help with this process). Removing certain pictures that may be inappropriate can be a big help, as well as changing privacy settings to the highest level possible.  Another option is to balance out your poor images with positive pictures and information.  Talk online about your involvement in clubs, organizations, volunteer work and other constructive experiences you are having.  Publish pictures that display you in a professional light that do present you as CEO material.  Try to contact sites that host negative information and ask that it be removed from their site. First impressions are everything and if an employer only sees negative about you your professional career may be sabotaged before you ever get started.

However, nothing is every really deleted from the Internet.  Once it is posted it is there for public consumption and eternity.  The best advice for any user of cyber communities is to be ready to defend. Know what is posted and being said about you, and have an explanation ready to present before the question arises.  Knowing that you are aware and understand the implications speaks well of your ability to research and be proactive in the workplace. 

The future of cyber communities is unknown.  Currently the only laws regulating its use are directed at physical protection, not employment issues. 

We are seeing history in the making and it is us to the users to be as interactive in the solution as they are the problem.  This is about life, not technology, and being responsible for the choices we are making today.

Remember you are willingly choosing to participate in this form of communication. In today’s society, people tend to believe things they read online - true or not.  Be socially responsible.  Defend yourself, take responsibility for your actions and be aware of what you are doing to yourself and others.

Posted in Opinion