Putting Your Best Self Out There

What if I told you there are over 700 million people who use two main ways to communicate with each other and there are some people who only communicate via these two methods, would you know what I was talking about? What if I told you that both of these communication tools are less than 10years old?  What if I told you, you are one of those 700 million?  As you have probably guessed by now, I’m referring to Facebook and Twitter, two of the world’s most popular social networking tools.  While both have changed the way we communicate with each other, neither should change the way we protect ourselves when talking with someone we know or have never met. 

While staying connected to current friends, family members, and even people we just met is a great idea, you should always remember that there is a risk when using social media.  Here are a few tips you can use to ensure that your social media presence is kept secure and also that you are putting your best self out there for others to see.

1.       Security

·         If there is one thing you should understand about any social media platform it is that they are all linked to the internet which means unless you have taken steps to keep some stuff private it can be seen by anyone at anytime.  Make sure you understand how security and privacy controls work on any social media platform that you using. 

2.       Photos

·         While sharing photos with friends and family is always a good idea when you are away at school, it is also important to note that not every photo is worthy of sharing.  Anything that shows you in a compromising situation should be kept private.  Many employers and other organizations are using Facebook and twitter as a screening mechanism before hiring future employees.   Most social media applications have tools that allow for the user to only allow certain people to see certain photos.  Remember, if you wouldn’t want your parents to see it, you probably shouldn’t share it. 

3.       Be careful what you post

·         Everyone has a bad day and sometimes we just want someone to acknowledge those days, but, when bad days become shouting matches or profanity-laced rants, no one wins.  Just remember, like photos, most posts can be shared with select individuals and not the entire “world”.

4.       More Than Just Friends Are Looking

·         Many organizations, including school districts, colleges, universities, and employers, access the internet to confirm information as simple as your name and birth date.  Make sure that you take time to understand privacy controls. And remember, if you wouldn’t want your parents to see it or read, chances are you wouldn’t want your future boss to see it either.

Social media is a great way for friends and family members to stay connected while you are away at college.  Just like anything else, it is important that you always represent yourself to the best of your ability; using social media is no exception!