Jobs, Facebook, and the Clueless Generation

Those of us who have had Facebook since the weeks it was begun, as 18-year-old college freshman, remember a time when it was what it said it was - a college FACEBOOK for your friends on campus, available only to those who with registered college email addresses.

By the time Facebook opened registration to the world at large, there were already over 600 pictures of me and wall posts left by college friends. While I've changed my privacy settings so that my boss can't find images of me from 5 years ago at frat parties, they exist - and though I can detag them, they exist still, despite the fact that I never posted or approved them.

We've been telling our kids since we first learned of these types of sites to be very cautious of what they post, since everything follows you everywhere and nothing ever goes away. It's hard to think of applying for a job when you are 15, and so it's very difficult for them to filter what's appropriate. Laughing with them at their goofy photos is our entry into the conversation about how, in some future time, they may not want that photo to represent them anymore, and yet, it won't go away. Gotta keep talking with the kids, no shortcuts, no avoiding the tough stuff. They hear us, even if we don't think they do.

I have actually written to the company..Facebook..and suggested that no one should have the ability to "tag" your photo without your prior permission. Posting a photo of you is one thing...it would be very hard to find, but if it is tagged, it's a problem because it's easily found.

KT: It is unnerving to know that there are embarrassing images of yourself out there in the World Wide Web that could pop up at any time—a little like a Miss America wondering when nude photos of herself taken at 17 will surface. Thanks to the Net, we all can feel like Miss America.

But I think employers—bosses out there, please weigh in—are more likely to overlook, understand, and play down lapses indiscretions that occurred when you were 17, 18, 19 than lapses in judgment now that you're their employee and have a responsibility to the company. From your comment, it's clear you're now highly vigilant for the traps in Facebook.

Totally agree with KT and as another member of the generation who started Facebook I'm annoyed. This used to be a place we could vent and be ourself with our peers. Why is it the younger person who gets in trouble...why don't old people and bosses stop trying to be cool and our friends so we can keep our clear boundaries?!

i for one think this is bullshit if you decide to use face book to vent about your work problems to friends and family that is your bussiness and it is acutally breaking the law in most states for them to fire or discharge you for the simple fact of using your freedom of speech

James, it would seem extreme to fire somebody because of a Facebook posting. But I was told it was just one of the reasons for the firing. Moral of the story: If you think your job is in jeopardy, be careful what you post.

Kudos for the young male artist from Rhode Island who has not joined the social networking. Like him, I have not accepted any invitations to join in any of these so called social networking for fear of being a public property. It doesnt make me any less friendly though. Facebook and the likes are wonderful tools to get connected. Just use it with cautions.