How to Ruin Your Life with Your Online Presence

(or Internet and Social Media Safety in the Digital Age)

Where are you online?

A Venn Diagram

Another Venn Diagram:Social Networks

I am only posting for my friends…

You in the Cyber Universe

Bye Bye College

• A Minnesota man has been expelled from college for posts made on his private Facebook page unrelated to anyone at his school.• He had a semester left in his nursing program when he was expelled last fall for allegedly commenting on his private Facebook wall.

College – Denied!!

• 80% of college admissions officers use websites such as Facebook and Google to vet applicants

• Of those, more than one-third say they have found something that has hurt a student's chance of admission

Yep, they know how to search Facebook!

Being a Professional

• Publishing stories of what you’ve done? Really????

And….

• A teacher in GA , was dismissed from work due to her profile on Facebook.

• The problem: PHOTOS

Well duh

It’s private though?

• Employers, Colleges:

Most states allow access to social media as part of an “investigation”

• What they do with that information may be limited

BUT>>>>

What to Do or Remove

• EVERY photo that includes a glass or container• Every picture from a party • Ask people to remove your tags

Yes, more photo stuff

• Unfriend people who post “wild” pictures• Set your Settings so you have to approve Tags

• Don’t join silly groups

I push the cross walk button numerous times because it’s fun.

There are three versions of this group. And to the 4,500-plus people who joined: What is wrong with you?)

• Don’t post comments about fanatical or extreme views

• Don’t post nasty comments about anyone, or anything!!

• You may think it’s funny, but someone will be offended

Use it to your advantage

• “Like” the schools you are interested in• Add photos of “team” extracurricular activities• Use photos to show your interests and

activities• “Like” and ”share” posts of causes that you

support that you will nbe using on your applications and resumes

Yes, you can

• Fill out the boring profile stuff – favorite, books, music, films…

• Check your language!

• AND YOUR SPELLING!!!

So, what else??

• EVERYTHING ELSE

I am only posting for my friends…

SnapChat… yep, that too.

Teenage Romance - NOT

• Sending pictures thinking they are “private”• Thinking the person you are sending them to

will respect you (well, maybe today)

• They’ll go away in 1 minute – NOT

• Do you want to send “selfies” and put them on the Internet! REALLY?????

Revenge photos

• Naked pictures posted against your will• Personal information posted on “Sharing”

sites• Real names, phone numbers, addresses

Cyber bullying

• Using technology for:

– Harassment

– Embarrassment

– Threaten

– Target

You are a person online

The cyber bully likes:

• Anonymity• Global audience• No time limits

Real people get hurt

• 18 year old Jessica hanged herself after an ex-boyfriend sent naked pictures to high school

• An 8th grader learned an internet romance was a hoax

• Two 14 year olds taped a teenage couple making out at a party and distributed the clip at school

What do I do?

• THINK before you send that email or text• Don’t be a bystander• Take away the anonymity – REPORT IT• Don’t use chat rooms or websites that allow

bullies to operate• Be supportive of someone who is hurt

I am only posting for my friends…

Be a smart Friend

• Offenders may pretend to be someone you know!

• Or will try to become your Friend

SO BE PICKY ABOUT YOUR FRIENDS

Be aware

• Using the internet to get “in person” meetings

• Online chat abuse “show me” on webcams, IM, Chat, iMessage