research essay for project II

Facebook Appropriateness

The online social network of Facebook has undoubtedly changed the internet world and has created a quick new way to communicate with others and a new way to express yourself. People are free to create their own profile with photographs and include any information they wish. However, this freedom to post and share almost anything one wishes is not necessarily a good thing. Many people, mostly younger users, are irresponsible with their internet usage and actually are causing harm to themselves and/or their reputation.

There are many things that people post on Facebook that can be considered inappropriate, from posting questionable photographs on your page, to simply using ill chosen words while posting comments. I have viewed a high number of profiles with racy, sexy pictures that are completely inappropriate, like girls posting photographs of themselves in lingerie, provocative poses, and even pictures of themselves making out with their boyfriends. People also post photos of themselves holding guns or other weapons which can get them into trouble with the law. People post “bumper stickers” on their own as well as other people’s pages that are offensive or insulting to others. It is not smart to use extreme profanity or talk about things like doing drugs on other people’s “walls” because more people than you realize are reading it and will make judgments about you.

Although some people make numerous bad choices on their Facebook, there are ways to express yourself tastefully. I have noticed that many young people choose to put their senior pictures on their Facebook. That is a good choice because it is usually a photograph that the person especially likes, and most of the time are tastefully done. It is not difficult to decide what photographs are appropriate for the internet. It is also important while listing your hobbies and activities to not be too sarcastic, because some people will take it seriously. A main reason why it is important to make sure your Facebook is appropriate is because future employers may be looking at your profile if it is not private. It is doubtful that an employer will want to hire someone who has multiple photographs of them drinking alcohol or partying excessively. I read about a gentleman who updated his “status” and in it stated that he was not going to work because he was still “trashed”. This was not a smart move because one of his coworkers had access to his Facebook page and tattled on him, and he had bad consequences to face. It is also important to not post negative ideas or feelings about your current job or about working in general, even if you are just joking.

I believe that one’s age definitely affects the content and professional aspect of their Facebook. Younger Facebook users, possibly high school aged, are more likely to be less conscious of what they post and are much more naive. They do not always fully think about who may be looking at their profile and what consequences they may face. I believe that younger users are more likely to post provocative photos as an attempt to gain attention. Older users, in later college years or after, are much more conscious of what they post on their Facebook, one reason being because they are aware of the dangers of the internet and consequences. They realize that their current or future employer may be able to view their profile, as well as family members and other people of importance in their life. They realize that what they post does indeed matter, and that people may judge them by the information they see.

Not only can irresponsibility on Facebook hurt your reputation and professional life, it can also just be plain dangerous. An article by Laurie Chanigo has stated that certain studies have revealed that many people feel a “false sense of security” when they use their Facebook, which leads them to reveal too much information about themselves and their lives. This becomes unsafe due to online predators, or people who dislike or want to harm you. People give them the opportunity to do so by posting their contact information, like address and phone number, and even where they work. We live in a time where it is getting difficult to hold onto a lot of our privacy, so it is important that we do not freely give out information that could potentially cause us harm.

An article in the Michigan Journal by Raquel Parks points out that social networking sites like Facebook are not intended to be a place to “expose” yourself. She says they are “meant for self-expression and communication” which I completely agree with. Facebook users today, especially younger people feel much too comfortable putting anything and everything about themselves on their page. They need to tone it down and begin thinking about the consequences of their actions, and learn that there are ways to have a fun, but professional Facebook. How you portray yourself matters, and more people are watching than you may think.

The Dangers of too Much Information in Your Status Updates on Facebook. Computer Weekly. 22 October2008. 4 November 2008. http://www.computerweekly.com/blogs/editors-blog/2008/10/the-dangers-of-too-much-inform.html

Charnigo, Laurie. Checking Out Facebook.com: The Impact of a Digital Trend on Academic Libraries.

Parks, Raquel. “Common Sense is Key to Internet Safety”. The Michigan Journal. 4 November 2008.