Wanted: Unemployment
11/17/2009
by Scott Trolan It’s my job to stay up-to-date with Internet news. This means reading about anything from Facebook’s privacy policies to new iPhone apps. It also means reading about the mistakes that people make online—again and again. And again.
I am not entirely sad about this. These online snafus reinforce the need for Internet education programs, like NetSmartz.
But at the same time, please, STOP! Everyday I read stories about people being punished for doing things like posting vulgar status updates or creating fake and defamatory profiles. These aren’t even new mistakes…just the same ones over and over! Sure, the Internet is huge, and the chances of your bad behavior being discovered are slim. But probability isn't much comfort if you are the person that is caught!
So here’s my challenge: put me out of a job. Enough is enough already! Please stop making the same mistakes online. Or do you need to read one more story about someone losing their job because of what they did on Facebook or Twitter?
Unemployment Plan
1) Look at your profile. Is there anything inappropriate or illegal? Get rid of it!
2) Check your privacy settings. Be in of control who sees your information.
3) Review your friends list. Remember, these are the people with access to everything that you post. (Which means your crush just saw that update about your little problem with halitosis.)
Oh, yeah. And think before you post. I know. Soooo obvious. But it clearly needs to be said.
I am not entirely sad about this. These online snafus reinforce the need for Internet education programs, like NetSmartz.
But at the same time, please, STOP! Everyday I read stories about people being punished for doing things like posting vulgar status updates or creating fake and defamatory profiles. These aren’t even new mistakes…just the same ones over and over! Sure, the Internet is huge, and the chances of your bad behavior being discovered are slim. But probability isn't much comfort if you are the person that is caught!
So here’s my challenge: put me out of a job. Enough is enough already! Please stop making the same mistakes online. Or do you need to read one more story about someone losing their job because of what they did on Facebook or Twitter?
Unemployment Plan
1) Look at your profile. Is there anything inappropriate or illegal? Get rid of it!
2) Check your privacy settings. Be in of control who sees your information.
3) Review your friends list. Remember, these are the people with access to everything that you post. (Which means your crush just saw that update about your little problem with halitosis.)
Oh, yeah. And think before you post. I know. Soooo obvious. But it clearly needs to be said.
