By: Kristen Paquet, Sr. Account Executive, Leonard & Finco Public Relations
Back in November, I posted how people really need to
be careful about what they say in public. Nowadays, you just never know when it
will come back to haunt you, most likely on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram
or…
It’s about using common sense both in what you say out
loud and online. Recent news stories have shown us that one, simple 140 word
comment can get you fired (PR exec Justine Sacco),
cause a huge backlash (The Alabama quarterback mom who made inappropriate statements about the Florida State QB) or become a story in and
of itself.
What I mean by that last comment is that I have
recently started to notice how some news stories have been based on information
found only on social media accounts (and are considered to be in the public
domain). In a majority of these cases, not one interview took place. Most of
these come in the form of what celebrity did what, when and to whom, but what’s
to say that can’t happen to anyone? We all post, don’t we?
One of the first rules we teach young people new to
social media is to be aware that anyone can read what they post online. It can
be shared, retweeted and reposted, no matter how secure or protected an account
might be. Seems to me that this is a life-long rule for kids and adults to
remember.
So the moral of the story… again… think before you
post. Although the urge to post something in the moment seems like a harmless
idea, consider who will be able to see it. Is it good for your reputation, your
job, your future? Don’t let the good things - the fun, connections and
conversations - social media provides be over shadowed by a regrettable comment
or photo.
What are your thoughts on this? How careful do you
think you should be on social media?
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