The dangers of Facebook

By Jenny Johnston
Editor

    Facebook is without a doubt, the most popular social media Web site. Its original purpose was aimed at college students to connect them through online profiles. It’s evolved into a networking monster to include celebrities, politicians, businesses, non-profit organizations, interest groups and basically anyone 13 years or older. Users create a profile and display anything they want about themselves. Anyone can view a person’s profile depending on their privacy settings.
    It sounds fun and innocent, right? Unfortunately, Facebook isn’t just fun and games. People don’t realize their personal feelings and information can be used against them. Think about it.
The golden rule is don’t post anything you wouldn’t want your grandma to see. That’s fine and dandy, but users should be more worried about another group of serious, judgemental people who decide your fate: employers.
    Believe it or not, employers are using Facebook as another reference check to see if a candidate really is the responsible and intelligent person they say they are. Several recruiters at the recent Park career fair said they actively use Facebook for potential and existing employees.
    “We check Facebook profiles of potential candidates and we monitor current employee Facebook pages,” said Park alum Luke Wolkers from Cowell Insurance. “Some of the red flags we look for are political and religious views, inappropriate pictures and inappropriate comments. Anyone who is in violation, we tell them to clean up their profile or make it private. We encourage our employees to use Linked-in for networking purposes.”
    Some employers don’t check profiles during the interview process, but do monitor profiles of existing employees.
    “We look for quirky comments or digs towards another person or issue,” said Kristina Marlin from Wagoner Maxcy Westbrook, P.C. “Mostly we check for things that can interfere with work. So if someone writes that they are having a bad day, we can address it right there at the office.”
    With high unemployment rates and tough economic times, the job market is pretty competitive. It’s important to have a stellar resume and cover letter, previous work experience and solid references to land a job, experts say. Clean Facebook profiles are now being added to the list.
    “Students need to be conscious of what they put on there,” said admissions counselor Shaun Pfannenstiel. “Coaches, admissions counselors, future employers and pastors all look at Facebook pages. So if a student has a provocative profile picture for example, they’re asking for the wrong kind of attention.”
    Because Facebook doesn’t have a tracking application, users don’t know who views their profile. Posting irresponsible photos and comments can jeopardize students’ scholarships and employment. Pfannenstiel has separate Facebook profiles for work and his personal life. One of his jobs as the Park admissions counselor is traveling to high schools and college fairs and recruiting students to come to Park. He communicates and befriends them through his work profile. He views a lot of student’s pages and is surprised at what he sees.
    “I see unnecessary photos of kids who are underage with liquor, wall posts and status updates with cursing and name calling; and I just want to know, where is the thought process,” said Pfannenstiel. “These are the types of things that will prevent students from getting a job or a scholarship.”
    “Politicians, rock stars and students use Facebook to sell themselves,” said Pfannenstiel. “If your selling yourself, do it in a way that shows quality of character. I mean for crying out loud, be modest and conservative!”
    Currently, Park doesn’t have a social media policy in the student handbook. Incidents are solved on an individual basis.
    “Student Life staff does not check student Facebook pages,” Diana McElroy, dean of student life, wrote in an email. “Occasionally, people report concerns to us and we investigate if needed.”
    Much is the same in the athletic department.
    “We do not actively comb student athletes’ Facebook profiles for inappropriate activity, but if it is brought to our attention, we have departmental procedures for dealing with social media,” Steve Wilson, sports information director, wrote in an email.   
    Another tool used to look up students is a Google search of their name. This will bring up Facebook profiles, Myspace accounts and anything else related to the matching name.
    “We haven’t used Facebook for reference, but we’ll do a Google search to look up candidates,” said Joe Burke from Hy-Vee. “We don’t use it in every interview, but if we come across say, three or four solid candidates, and we can’t decide who to hire, we use Google as an eliminator. And from what I’ve personally seen, I would sure caution students as to what they put on their Facebook. They’re kidding themselves if they think employers don’t look at that.”
    Some argue employers are discriminating if they judge the content of their Facebook.
    “I don’t know so much about displaying political and religious views or sexual preference, but students should at least think about taking down sexual pictures and phrases,” said Pfannenstiel.
“I’d like to think all places are equal opportunity employers, but how far does that really go?  Political and religious preference might play a part, but I think it takes a backseat to quality of character.”
    So before you post on Facebook that you wish Sarah Palin and her family would die from cancer, or gay people should be burned at the stake, you need to think about who is looking at your comments and how they can come back to bite you in the butt, experts say.
    “Students are naive to think employers and coaches aren’t looking at their Facebook,” said Pfannenstiel. “They need a reality check.”