This document discusses the importance of being careful about what you post on social media. It notes that anything posted can be accessible forever and seen by potential employers or colleges. Several examples are given of students who lost opportunities because of regrettable social media posts, including underage drinking photos. The document encourages thinking before posting and maintaining an awareness that digital content lives online. It emphasizes behaving responsibly both online and offline since new technologies allow others to easily capture and share photos and videos.

1. Respect Your Future Melanie Stepanek Social Media Specialist, UW Oshkosh Admissions 10/20/10

2. My social media background Graduated Lourdes in 2006 Graduated UW Oshkosh in 2010 with a degree in PR/Advertising Worked 1.5 years at marketing agency in Fox Valley specializing in social media Developed social media program for Journalism Department; regular guest presenter for college PR/Ad courses Social media specialist for Admissions office at UW Oshkosh

4. Facebook is great if… You are connecting with friends You are sharing photos of fun events You are posting links to funny sites or videos You are keeping up with family You are aware that everything you post is accessible somehow by anyone in the world You are aware that everything you post will stay on the Internet forever

5. Facebook is not so great if… You are making fun of people You are sharing embarrassing photos or videos of other people You are posting inappropriate links You post things you wouldn’t want your family to see You think that what you post doesn’t matter You think that no one who “matters” will ever see it

6. The Truth Is… Facebook is a megaphone. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTN9We8unmU Everything you post is stored on a server somewhere Privacy settings only prevent so much Employers and schools take what you post seriously

7. It only takes a second to post…

8. But the consequences will follow you forever…

9. Close to Home Basketball star in Barneveld, Wisconsin caught underage drinking… Was kicked off the team… Lost a full scholarship… Got kicked out of school for a year… Because photos of the party were posted on Facebook. Student at UW Oshkosh.. Applied for a job with troubled youth… Didn’t get the job… Because photos of themselves drinking underage… Were posted on Facebook. Students applying for my internship…

10. Photos aren’t the only thing that can get you into trouble:Employer Warning Signs Negative posts Excessive derogatory language Belittling of other people Rude, offensive comments Talking badly about current positions you have (is that how you’d talk about me?)

12. YouTube can make you into an overnight celebrity. Which can be good if you are: Susan Boyle The Double Rainbow Guy But it can be bad if you are: This lady: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYdUZdan5i8 (She had to go under police protection.)

13. The same problems arise on other social media…

14. How many of you own one of these fun devices?

15. Cell phones + accessibility + reach mass audience + rash decision = regret.

16. Most of these potentially harmful situations can be avoided if you just…

17. You already know how to avoid disastrous situations. If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all. Think before you speak. Write or post things you wouldn’t mind seeing 20 years down the road. The best way to keep things private is to keep them to yourself. The whole world doesn’t need to know the ins and outs of your day-to-day life. Don’t talk behind peoples’ backs. There is no such thing. Be aware of your surroundings. You don’t live in a bubble. Be responsible. Behave. It’s better to be safe than sorry. It’s NOT easier to ask forgiveness than permission. You may not have the chance to apologize.

18. Don’t forget… That you can only control yourself. Digital Cameras, Cell phones, FlipCams… Technology is everywhere. You have to make sure that you are careful of your actions OFFLINE as well… It only takes a second for someone to snap a photo you may not realize is online until it’s too late.

19. RESPECT YOUR FUTURE.

20. Questions?stepanekm@uwosh.edu