<p>I'm not sure I know how to post links right, but I highly recommend all Facebook users spend about half an hour with their privacy settings, after reading this:
<a href="http://internetducttape.com/2007/03/08/how-to-use-facebook-without-losing-your-job-over-it/%5B/url%5D">http://internetducttape.com/2007/03/08/how-to-use-facebook-without-losing-your-job-over-it/</a></p>
<p>^^ Great link, purplexed! Thanks for posting it. I'm forwarding it to my college senior and college freshman right now.</p>
<p>I don't understand the continued use of terms like "wrongdoing" and "lawbreaking" to describe what was posted. In the reckoning of an overwhelming majority of the US adult public, drinking at parties before
age 21 is not a crime, in fact it is something that they participated in themselves, not to mention something that is legal in most parts of the world. The theoretical possibility of an arrest is neutralized by the information being unverifiable and potentially a lie, so there is no big legal risk. Posting such information on Facebook can only make the social matching markets for friends, roommates, lovers etc more efficient; if the girl offended by the posting switches her housing it's a win-win situation for all involved, as somebody pointed out. What's the problem? </p>
<p>The most advantagious situation is for one's own children to not publicize their private lives, but for everyone else to do so (so that the information can be used). Sounds like that's what happened --- so far, so good!</p>
<p>Facebook and Myspace are revolutionary. The positives are too numerous to mention.</p>
<p>However, the negatives are real, and downright scary. Emblazen this in your brain if you use either site: WHAT YOU PUBLISH ONLINE IS PERMANENT, AND YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN.</p>
<p>There is no way to control, forever, your privacy online. Young adults have a way of thinking, "Nah - Who would care or check this stuff out five years from now?" The world is made up of a lot of different kinds of people, many of whom would not hire a person who was into drinking, drugs, or spoke disrespectfully (or worse, threateningly) online. I am not saying that it is right or wrong, I am just saying it is reality. You may be someone Joe CEO would love to have partied with when he was young, but Joe could easily pass on you when it comes to betting his livelihood on a new hire. </p>
<p>Drug tests and driving record checks are a huge part of the hiring process because companies are obligated by their insurance contracts not to hire someone with issues in these areas. Therefore, hiring managers do whatever they can to know everything up front, and thereby avoid a costly mistake.</p>
<p>If you put your settings on "friend's only", you are still at risk both now and in the future. Your page can be accessed in its entirety any time through one of your "friends", with pages printed and saved. Your comments can be cut and pasted elsewhere. If you are suspected of underaged drinking, drugs, cheating - anything illegal, accessing your Facebook or Myspace page will be a part of the investigation. </p>
<p>The biggest issue here is one of judgement and discretion. You just have to be smart, and more importantly seem so, as you create your "record" on the internet. Use Facebook and Myspace as if your Mom, the President of your future university, and the Board of Directors of your future employer are all looking over your shoulder as you type. If you must be edgy, do it in person!</p>