Are You Posting Too Much on Your Social Media Pages?

Alexandra Rivera
The Paw Print

Social media websites have millions of people on them every day, posting pictures, tagging, writing status, etc. Some people use it as a way to expresses themselves, either through postings or pictures. Others might use it as a way to keep in touch with other relatives or maybe some business they are promoting. But the big question is: are you posting information that can follow you in the long run?
Along with jeopardizing your overall reputation to random strangers, the answer to that question is absolutely. Every day you post a picture or a status it is recorded in a data base that saves every status and picture, even if you press delete. For example recently, a mother posted an obscene Facebook status criticizing her son’s school, resulting in her child getting expelled, according to CNN News. Another interesting fact is that police use social media websites as a way to provide evidence. For instance, a mother who was supposed to stay sober through court took a picture of her drinking a beer and posted it on Instagram, confessing to her crime through a selfie, according to the Boston Globe. Some argue that Facebook or social media websites are private, however that is not the case. Anything uploaded to the internet is accusable to anyone.
Beyond Facebook, companies that you might work for in the future might pull up  the massive search data base to see what your interests are along with if you are truly fit for the job. It is factual that 91% of employers use Facebook to screen applicants and 69% of applicants get rejected before the interview just based off your Facebook, according to the Freelance copywriter’s blog. In addition, if your work or school finds you suspicious, the first place they check is your social media page, looking for posts and pictures or just to check up on the employer or student randomly. For example, a waitress got fired for revealing drug use on her Facebook status. As a result she got fired, according to CBS News. Also universities are now checking Facebook pages before even considering you as a student. Universities want to make sure you would represent them in a positive light, and if you have pictures and statuses of you wilding out, then you might not get your acceptation letter or a job due to unnecessary confessions. As you have been informed, what you post on Facebook and social media websites is not private. Be careful what you post, it could cost you your job or you could deal with other consequences