Week 2 Tutorial: Don't let new communication technologies come back to haunt you

In today’s society, it’s nearly effortless to locate an individual and find their background information by simply typing his or her name into Facebook or Google.  Although Facebook can be a very efficient way to connect with friends and family across the world, I propose it can also be an easy way to self-destruct.  Take June Talvitie-Siple's case, for example, where she was fired from her teaching position after posting a status on her Facebook page that referred to her students as "snobby and arrogant germ bags."  The teacher claimed to have thought that only a specific group of her friends would see her statuses, but as it turned out, she had her privacy settings set incorrectly, which ultimately ended her career.  There have been numerous other cases where students are expelled from sports for posting pictures of them holding alcohol, and also cases of teachers getting fired for being seen out at the bars on Facebook.

Like most college students my age, I, too, rely on Facebook, Google and Twitter as primary sources for acquiring information and keeping in touch with my community.  I created a Facebook account upon entering high school for the mere fact that "everyone was doing it!"  With that being said, though, it's important to realize that there are boundaries.  It may not be wise to share every little aspect of your life with Facebook users, even if they are your "friends."  Doing so makes you an easy target for identity theft.  My advice is to go into your "privacy settings" and make your profile private so no one can look up your name or add you unless you add them.  This will prevent individuals you don't know from obtaining your personal information.  Personally, I never add or accept friend requests from people I don't know.  It's great to have an online presence, but be cautious of what you're posting to the internet, because once you've hit that "post" button, that thought, comment, or picture of yours could haunt you forever!

Being an international student, I have recently adopted Skype as my main source of communication with my friends and family from back home.  It's a great way to hold long conversations with people you're unable to call due to long distances.  Moreover, it's enables a more intimate experience by letting the users see one another through a webcam.  When I return to America, I plan to keep in touch with the new friends I've made here in Australia by utilizing my Skype account just a much as I do now.    

Teacher Fired Over Facebook. 2012. Video. YouTubeWeb. July 29 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zU8m-4_CmtU>.