Social media regret sinks into users
While social media, such as Facebook and Instagram, are popular for sharing photos and other aspects of people’s lives, many users are worried that their postings could someday cost them their job.
According to a new survey from FindLaw.com, more than a quarter of young social media users think that something they posted could come back to haunt them.
The survey found that 29% of users of Facebook and other social media between the ages of 18 and 34 have posted a photo, comment or other personal information that they fear could someday either cause a prospective employer to turn them down for a job, or a current employer to fire them if they were to see it.
The survey covered Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr and other popular social media.
A form of “day-after remorse” seems to be evident. Close to the same percentage of young social media users – 21% – say that they have removed or taken down a photo or other social media posting because they feared it could lead to repercussions with an employer.
Users are taking other precautions as well. The same FindLaw.com survey found that 82% of young social media users said that they pay at least some attention to their privacy settings.
Only six percent said that they pay no attention and only use the default settings when using social media.
“People love using social media to share their thoughts and life experiences,” said Stephanie Rahlfs, an attorney-editor with FindLaw.com.
“The drawback is that many comments, photos and other information may not be looked upon favorably by employers. And taking down or removing a post or photo may not be enough; as the information may continue to live on in other parts of the Internet. ”
“It’s best to assume that anything that you post could live on the Internet forever, and to think accordingly before hitting the ‘Post’ button,” she said.
The FindLaw survey was conducted using a demographically balanced survey of 1,000 American adults and has a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3 percent.
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