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Responsible facebook usage

Social networking has exploded into mainstream society. It seems like everyone has a Facebook page which means the personal information you post is suddenly visible to all. With the rise of Facebook popularity and the visibility we’re giving to friends, and maybe even co-workers, it’s important to remember to use the application responsibly.

It’s been a long day…you’re ready to go home, relax and decompress after 8 stressful hours at work. For some, that might mean checking out Facebook for your friends’ updates. Should you add your own status update venting about a disagreement at the office? Definitely not. When you’re Facebook friends with everyone from you second-grade best friend to your boss, it’s necessary to filter. While ethics might not be the first thing you think about when using Facebook, it’s important to remember that when you put information out there, it doesn’t disappear into a black hole of internet chatter. People read it.

Even if you’re not currently employed, but do have a Facebook account, potential employers may view your page to find out more about you. Employers may use Facebook to find out more information you didn’t provide in your resume or interview. If your photo albums are filled with your party-girl past, your potential employer might hold that against you. Since any written information or photos posted to a perspective employee’s account can be available to the public, including possible employers, it is not considered an invasion of privacy to view. 

An easy fix to prevent potential employers, co-workers and even other strangers from viewing your Facebook information is to use your privacy settings. Facebook allows users to limit what profile information can be viewed and even become completely invisible to everyone not considered a “friend.” So, if you’re using Facebook…and let’s face it, you probably are, remember to think before you post because no one really wants to share that much information with fellow employees.