Social media has benefits but also risks to privacy and online reputation. While it allows connecting with others and sharing information, users must be aware that their digital trails and online interactions could impact them long-term. For example, a woman was fired after posting a racist joke on Twitter during her vacation. Her case shows that what users post online can affect future opportunities. It is important to use privacy settings, be cautious of what is shared, and avoid inappropriate interactions, as colleges and employers may now consider social media activity when evaluating applicants.

1. Social Media Safety
By: Trevor McGarrity

2. One of the greatest
innovations of the 21st
century has been the
emergence of social media.

3. Connect With Long-Lost Friends

4. Share Photos & Videos for the World to See

5. Even Carry Out Relationships Online

6. Although, the advantages of social networking comes with a price
to pay…
Privacy.

7. 1,141
288
300
Social Media Users
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Amount of
monthly active
accounts.
(Millions)
All accounts leave
their individual
digital trail for
others to follow.
How you choose
to use social
media will define
your digital trail.

8. Through social media, users are encouraged to
express themselves in the various ways they see fit.
Some encourage others to chase their dreams, others
inspire some to try new things.
Others choose to express themselves inappropriately…

9. What people choose to post online will follow them
for the rest of their lives, simply deleting what was
once posted does not entirely remove it from the
internet…

10. Unfortunately for once twitter user on vacation, as she
visited different destinations, she would tweet a racist
comment depending on where she landed next…

11. Not much recognition for her previous posts until her
final tweet while heading to Africa included the
possibility of catching “AIDS”, tweeters were very
unimpressed…

12. Justine Sacco
- Former public relations executive, fired
shortly after tweet was posted
- Lost her job because of twitter incident
- Subjected to massive amounts of online
abuse
- Publicly humiliated and forced to
apologize because of racist joke posted
on twitter.

13. Social media has changed the way people interact. In
many ways, social media has led to positive changes
in the way people communicate and share
information…
however, there is a dark side, as well. Online
interactions can sometimes result in negative
outcomes, some with long-term consequences.

14. Justine’s incident should be a warning to
all social media users, what people post
can have a significant affect on their
future life.
How users should choose to represent
themselves online poses a threat to both
their academic and professional future.

15. Online profiles are now becoming
the new résumé.
Business’ as well as schools,
although they might not admit it,
do in fact take online interactions in
to consideration when picking
applicants/employees.

16. Although online interactions may seem
private, they are in fact are still very public.
There are tips to ensure your online privacy is
at its best!

17. Increasing Online Safety
- ALWAYS use maximum privacy settings
- Be cautious of what is being posted
- You never know what is considered offensive
to others
- Do NOT allow strangers access to social
networks
- Educate younger users on proper online
etiquette

18. Beware of Negative Online
Interactions
- Online Predators
- Cyber bullying
- Identity Theft
- Decrease in Productivity
- Offensive Comments/Communication

19. While social networking has very clear
negative impacts, it is here to stay.
Deciding whether you or your children will
use social networking is an individual
choice.

20. By using it responsibly, teaching and
encouraging your children to do the
same, you can gain all the benefits of
social networking while avoiding the
drawbacks.

21. Bibliography
• Bowness, Suzanne. "Five Ways to Be a Smart Social Media User in Your Job Hunt." The Globe and Mail. 10 Jan. 2013. Web. 12 June 2015.
• Jung, Brian. "The Negative Effect of Social Media on Society and Individuals." Small Business. Web. 12 June 2015.
• Ronson, Jon. "How One Stupid Tweet Blew Up Justine Sacco’s Life." The New York Times. The New York Times, 14 Feb. 2015. Web. 12 June 2015.
• Scherker, Amanda. "Didn't Read Facebook's Fine Print? Here's Exactly What It Says." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 21 July 2014. Web. 12 June 2015.
• Silverman, Rachel E., and Lauren Weber. "The New Résumé: It's 140 Characters; some Recruiters, Job Seekers Turn to Twitter, but Format is a Challenge; Six-Second
Video Goes Viral." Wall Street Journal (Online)Apr 09 2013. ProQuest. Web. 12 June 2015.
• Singer, Natasha. "In College Admissions, Social Media Can Be a Double-Edged Sword." The New York Times, 11 Nov. 2013. Web. 12 June 2015.
• Singer, Natasha. "They loved your G.P.A. then they saw your tweets." New York Times 10 Nov. 2013: 3(L). Academic OneFile. Web. 12 June 2015.
• Smith, Jacquelyn. "How Social Media Can Help (Or Hurt) You In Your Job Search." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 16 Apr. 2013. Web. 12 June 2015.
• "Social Networks: Global Sites Ranked by Users 2015 | Statistic." Statista. Web. 12 June 2015.
• "11 Tips for Social Networking Safety." Social Networking Safety. Microsoft. Web. 12 June 2015.