Social networking can be a lot of fun, but don’t think it is completely harmless. Most of the time you won’t have any problems as a result of using websites like Facebook, but there can be negative consequences if you’re not careful. It is rare that any physical harm comes to anyone from using social media; usually the worst problems are those related to public humiliation or sticky situations with employers. The following are a few tips to keep in mind before you post your next status update.
Make sure your profile is private. Investigate your privacy settings regularly just to make sure you aren’t broadcasting your personal information to the world. Don’t allow your cell phone number to be on your public profile, because your address can be found by tracing these records. Also, all status updates should be set to “friends only”. You might think posting “going for a run in the park” is harmless knowledge, but imagine if someone were to notice that you go for a run in that particular park every evening around the same time.
Don’t accept tagged photos to be public, and don’t accept tags at all on certain pictures. That party last weekend may have been a blast, but that photo of you doing a keg stand or sucking on that bong could have your name attached to it forever. Is this something you want potential employers (or your parents) to see online? Remember that your profile might be private, but your friends don’t necessarily take the same precautions.
Watch out when “liking” local businesses or groups. This gives those pages access to your information just as if you were a “friend”. In particular, this can be tricky in small towns. Everyone knows everyone else, and if one person sees something you write and takes it the wrong way, pretty soon the entire town will know.
Just plain don’t say anything stupid. You might be fed up with the government lately, but joking about bombing the White House is liable to land you in some deep trouble. On a more personal level, spreading gossip can be harmful to your social life. You may think “only my friends can see this”, but the reality is that those friends can show anyone your comments via a screen capture or by simply handing their phone to a friend. Don’t say anything you wouldn’t announce to a room full of strangers.