Social Networking can be bad for your wallet.

@TLChimes (4822)
United States
August 20, 2009 11:43am CST
A site was trying to get me to join and in their "before you join" write up they said: [i]You can be denied admission to college or a job based on things you put in your profile. It has happened. Don't let it happen to you. Don't post things that can embarrass you later.[/i] Um.... I never write anything I wouldn't say in front of or to someone. If a future employer, school, or ex friend reads something they don't like then most likely it wouldn't have worked out anyway. Online and off are different places, my personal thoughts are my own even if I'm telling 50 of my closest friends, and I should be able to vent about the booger of a boss. Do you watch what you type because of work or school repercussions?
10 people like this
19 responses
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
20 Aug 09
Nope I don't... If it comes back and bites me, you can tell me you told me so!!!
2 people like this
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
20 Aug 09
Nah, I'll just laugh at them with you.
2 people like this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
20 Aug 09
lol
@LittleMel (8742)
• Canada
21 Aug 09
not really. I do refrain from using rude swearing insulting words but I certainly don't keep my opinion to myself. of course some things I write on here I don't put the real name or anything that can lead people to know who I was talking about. because the thing is even if someone or a company is not being fair at me, they might be fair to other people. plus I am not good at debates using big words or "make people take my side". so I'd rather people find out themselves that someone or a company is bad. I'm sure life is a better teacher. I will never be a good politician LOL which is a good thing since I don't like anything about politics not even office politics. I am doing ok with temp and p/t, full time is like nightmares. but if people can't accept what I write here about workplaces, well then they won't be a good employer or co worker for me and I won't enjoy working for them or with them anyway. I'm not picky about type of job or pay, as long as it's physically doable (I'm small) and not out of town because I'm really a homebound person. There is always something I can apply for, so I'm not worried about it.
2 people like this
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
22 Aug 09
Mel, it's nice to meet you. I am what I am and won't try to be different. I try to be better but only for my kids and Self. You sound a bit like that. Also "Keep It Simple Silly"
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
20 Aug 09
I'm very careful about what I post online and always will be. For example, I've never once outlined my passion for cross dressing llamas and never will. Nope, you'll never see me mentioning that online anywhere, that would be stupid on my part and I know better.
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
21 Aug 09
Whoo hoo! Please provide the step ladder this time, it was a nightmare without it before!
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
20 Aug 09
Psst effendi - I have the humpy camel you like for saturday. Him big boy. Two humps!
2 people like this
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
22 Aug 09
um.... opps.... secrets out.... got pictures?
2 people like this
@horsesrule (1957)
• United States
21 Aug 09
You know, I never really thought about this issue until recently when I saw that someone had been fired from their job because of something they posted about their boss on Facebook and their boss was one of their Facebook connections. That seems pretty extreme and somewhat crazy to me but, I honestly never thought about this issue. I only use Facebook, MySpace, MyLot, Gather.com somewhat casually anyway so I don't think there is anything that I've ever said that would impact any future college admissions or jobs. Now I know that sometimes my mother doesn't like something I've said online but that's because I don't always sugarcoat the truth but overall I just say and do the same thing online as I do in the real world. It's easier to keep track that way!
1 person likes this
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
22 Aug 09
It's easier to keep track that way! Darn right! I don't like everything I read from my kids either but then... It's their lives and while I talk to them about what i read I don't get over the top about it. They even give me their codes so I could fiddle with it but I don't.
1 person likes this
• India
21 Aug 09
Those stupid things can happen in US. but in India, so far i have not come across such incidents. many companies here hire you for your talents and not for what you put up on the social networking sites or what other talk about you there. if a company does not hire you, that shows theirs, the mangement's and Human Resource department's immaturity.
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
22 Aug 09
That's how it should be. In the US we are supposed to have the freedom of speech but if that's the case then that stupid stuff wouldn't be allowed here.
• Philippines
20 Aug 09
I think this reminder has something to do with the latest scandal on face book. the story goes where a employee put something on her blog on how much she hated her boss, and everything..and then she forgot that she added her boss in face book that the boss responds something about her picking what's left in her office, meaning she got fired simply just that
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
20 Aug 09
The site that had the warning was called "my year book" or something close to that. But it did make me think of something I saw on facebook. It was her stupidity for letting someone she "hated" on her list. DUH!
2 people like this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
21 Aug 09
Actually I do watch what I write but not because of future bosses or schooling potential i is just how I am..I guess I am somewhat shy, mixed in which a little occasional craziness..but your right people shouldn't have to be afraid of what they say on some site. It shouldn't hinder a job or their schooling.
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
22 Aug 09
You are perfect as you are... and we agree that as long as people do their jobs, and their homework they should be safe on-line. I have heard of teachers getting fired because of their on-line life "not meeting the standards" of the school. That's just wrong.
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
22 Aug 09
I don't think their personal life should have anything to do with their jobs at all. It doesn't seem fair to judge someone by that.
@coolcat123 (4387)
• India
20 Aug 09
means these social networking sites are bad for relations or with friends also. These messages which are meant for others may be read by different people or may be by friends or known ones who feels bad when their name arrives in such discussions on these social networking sites. but be ware not to use it in office hours as it may cause problems later.
1 person likes this
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
22 Aug 09
I TRY to be a good girl and type only what I can stand up for later. I have over stepped my bounds a bit from time to time but am quick to admit it. As for work... not an issue for me. My family and friends aren't really friends if they can't take me as I am. I try both on line and off to be a good person so I really have little to wory about.
@uath13 (8192)
• United States
20 Aug 09
That's why I never say the names or the ugly overpriced items my company sells or the company name. There's nothing for them to really get onto me for.
1 person likes this
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
22 Aug 09
But then if someone tried to unjustly hold my on-line life against me... I am a bit of a rights holder... I should be able to write what I want as long as it is with in the letter of the law.
@BarBaraPrz (45226)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
20 Aug 09
Well, I don't go to school, and I don't have a job, so... I guess the answer is "No".
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
22 Aug 09
Funny but true.....
1 person likes this
@seekers (393)
21 Aug 09
ha.ha..funny
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
20 Aug 09
Yes, I'm careful what I put on the internet. The only place I really vent is a protected, locked, members-only part of a guitar forum I'm a member of for the past ten years. And I'm careful even there. While I don't have a job right now I hope to in the future and I'm not going to do anything to jeopardize my chances. I understand why employers are looking into those pages, though. We put on different faces when applying for jobs and some employees turn out to be real nightmares for the employers. Seeing their online persona can be a big help to someone thinking of hiring them. As for venting completely and not holding back, that's what families and friends are for, face to face!
1 person likes this
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
22 Aug 09
Venting can be done with respect. BUT I ussually do it carefully because I try to put myself in others places. It's who I try to be. Most of my friends are on line.
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
20 Aug 09
The short answer is probably no. I don't go to school or work so that's not an issue. However, it is very easy to let ourselves run away with our thoughts etc and then find them come back to haunt us. There was a case recently of a young woman that wrote something abusive about her boss on Facebook. She forgot that he was one of her friends. He fired her on FB!
1 person likes this
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
22 Aug 09
turn about's fair play. I TRY to keep my filter in place for both my mouth and my fingers but sometimes it slips. A little. Just a bit. Maybe more then that a time or two.... but no more then that.
@maezee (42003)
• United States
20 Aug 09
Definitely! I watch what I put online just because it's COMMON SENSE to do so. I don't know WHY so many people put their very private, very unprofessional business out on the internet for everyone to read and see. It's quite ridiculous. I see this a lot with a lot of my college friends (who happen to love to party, as well) - putting their drunk pics online. It's true that an employer or an admissions representative could see this and disqualify you for that. I think it's silly. All of my even SLIGHTLY questionable pictures are put on private. And I usually don't disclose any information (just for safety's sake, as well) on the main page (like on my Myspace page). I try to make everything as private as possible. It only makes sense! There's no point in incriminating ourselves.
1 person likes this
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
22 Aug 09
I have many things set to private because I have an evil shadow person who likes to lie, cheat and steal. I'm too old to have pictures and such that can be worriesome.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
21 Aug 09
I was working as a recruiter. My colleague taught me to use facebook to find out how the candidate looks like. And we do forward the link to the hiring manager for consideration, together with resume. Some managers do not like the kind of remarks on the facebook. They do not want to hire someone who is so active in cyberspace, and badmouths their colleagues and bosses. So it still comes to the individual hiring manager. Some are quite ok, they are also using social networking, so they dont have any issue with it.
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
22 Aug 09
If a person writes rude things they should know someone may read it and be un happy, but it shouldn't cost them a job if they are qualified and good at what they do. You're right... it depends on who is reading what.
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
22 Aug 09
Hi Chimes, it will cause them a job if they are senior enough in the company. Can you imagine the secretary of the CEO spreading her opinion of her colleagues? No matter how good she is, no matter how long she works in the company, she will be terminated. You will never see senior managers writing their likes or dislikes about any other persons in the cyberspace. They are smart enough to keep quiet.
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
22 Aug 09
I know of places that will not even hire you if you are on social network sites. I guess it is discrimination. I also know that some people put really stupid and revealing stuff online then they cannot figure out how it comes back to bite them. I do not put anything into writing that I would not want my family and friends to see.
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
22 Aug 09
Yep... Nothing on line that makes me ashamed. I do have a few "secrets" from inlaws that I don't hide online but if they discovered them and wanted to talk about them.... OK. They are not bad in themselves but people tend to be stuck in their ways and my faith and beliefs aren't on their idea of ok page.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
21 Aug 09
I saw the Facebook entry a few people have mentioned here about the young lady who forgot she added her boss to her friend’s list and of course she ended up unemployed! Some say it was a stupid thing for her to do but it is so easily done especially on a site like Facebook where you are chatting with your close friends and how easy is it to forget you are in a public, or almost public domain? I don’t work outside the home and I no longer go to school although I hope my mum and dad don’t become computer savvy anytime soon! I do write honestly and sometimes I will divulge personal information, I know I have done this on my blog and it is so effortless to forget anyone can read it. It is best to be careful online because things are bound to come back to bite you!
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
22 Aug 09
We are alike. I don't really close off my world because my closest friends are on-line and my family finds me easiest here. *shrug* But I also don't (TRY not to) throw rocks at people.
1 person likes this
• India
4 Sep 09
Hello my friend TLChimes Ji, My concept of expression remains unchanged, even if I am on line, I do not have dual character in me. What I am here, I will express frankly, let anyone read it loudly and publically. This satisfies me and I am never left with guilt. Let's remain truthful under all conditions and circumstances. May God bless You and have a great time.
• Philippines
21 Aug 09
It's just that you should be aware of what are the things that you'll be posting.
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
22 Aug 09
very true.
@maysya (84)
• Indonesia
21 Aug 09
i ust know at now