Social Networking

It's scary to think how easily we can be found online. Any inappropriate material can be linked back to us, so we need to use discretion when using social networking sites or other online forums. Good judgement in regard to our digital footprint may ultimately be the difference between keeping and losing a job.

I was appalled to read about the woman who was fired for posting "drunk pirate" pictures on a public website. It definitely makes me think twice about any pictures that I (or other people) post on Facebook. Future employers have the right to search online for us in deciding whether we are teacher-worthy, and although I think that is sometimes taken to the extreme, we need to be careful about what material is associated with us.

After trolling Google and Pipl, I did not actually find any traces of myself. But that's just a lucky break. I do have a Facebook account that could be tracked-down by others with little effort. Reading the article just proved that I need to censor what I put on my page. Granted, I don't currently have anything that could be deemed unsuitable or obscene, but it still makes me nervous. I do have a picture in which I'm holding a beer bottle, which begs the question, "Where does the line get drawn?"

I will certainly make smarter decisions about my online actions, because those actions can be easily traced and can come back to bite me down the road. I want to protect my job, as well as my reputation, so I'll think twice about what I post for public consumption.