If it's on the internet, it isn't private

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Social media has given us all an opportunity to tell our stories online. Tell your story prudently, as…

…what happens on social media stays on Google forever

The rise of social media has made it quicker and easier to access information about everything. Because we’re not often entirely convinced by what we see, we turn to social media to get additional information, recommendations and opinions of other people or from sources we feel personally comfortable with.

Times have changed and our life privacy is often not as private because of what we share on the internet. We are all potential clients, business owners, employers, employees and suppliers. We should be cautious of what we put out there as what you put there stays on Google forever.

People become victims of losing a good reputation on social media because of what they share with others. Just like life-offline, there is such a thing as sharing too much information on social media.

We are so caught up with the idea of sharing our personal thoughts and opinions that we often tend to over-share without always considering the repercussions on our personal brands or the impact it could have in a different situation in the future. In your daily offline life, would you openly share your private issues with an extended group of people, some of which you may not even know? If you’re doing it on social media, that’s exactly what you’re doing.

A typical example of this would be putting up a post or tweet about how you hate your boss or employer. This poses a risk of being fired (depending on your company’s social media policy or HR processes) and could tarnish your name with potential employers. Another is that… not everyone can get away with putting up half naked pictures, the way you dress is the way you will be addressed. We live in a world that judges a book by its cover and where first impressions do make an impression.

Be careful of posting while in an emotional state where it is quite normal to make irrational or brash comments. Pause, calm down and think before posting. Be conscious of the impact your post could have on you and others with respective consequences. Granted, writing something in the heat of the moment feels exciting and/or liberating but is it worth potential future spoils?

There are few set rules for online courteous behaviour, it is however up to you as how you want to be perceived and the impression you want to create. Behave professionally online if you want to portray a professional self-image… and of course it’s important to remember that being professional doesn’t equate to being boring. It simply means showing respect for others and yourself.

Think twice before posting, use your best judgment.

Tell a good story.