Nowadays, social media has become an indispensable part of our existence. Hyves, Twitter and Facebook are so-called ‘must haves’ in the field of social media. But you also reveal a lot of information about yourself on a forum, for example. However, you should always think about what you post about yourself on the Internet. This article describes what you can post about yourself on the Internet and what the consequences may be.
Man and the internet
The Internet has become an indispensable part of society, everything happens via the Internet. The Internet is useful and offers many possibilities to us as people, you can easily find out information, transfer money and even buy or sell something via the Internet. However, people need to think more about what they can and cannot post on the internet. Because when someone puts something on the internet, it is in black and white, and the whole world can read or see it.
What are the consequences of social media on the internet?
Are you a member of Hyves, Twitter or Facebook? What information do you reveal about yourself, and to whom? Do you show everyone who you are, where you live, and how old you are? Or do you set it in the settings so that only your friends can read this, or even no one? Will you put in your ‘who what where’ on Hyves that you were nice and drunk again this weekend? Or do you tweet on Twitter that your boss is a big jerk?
Everything you post on the internet can be read by other people. Nowadays, when people apply for a job, they are often checked on the internet by their employer. Just type your name into Google.nl and judge for yourself, is it not too bad what can be found about you on the internet? Or are you deeply ashamed? Most people are shocked by what can be found about them on the internet. Burglars also use social media, for example, many young people put the exact dates on which they are going on holiday on social media. This is of course the ideal opportunity for burglars to take a look at the house in question during this period ( the address of which can often be found via social media) to see if anything can be obtained.
What are the consequences of posting on forums?
On forums you can choose to create a nickname, this is always recommended. Because you do not mention your own name, but have a nickname, people are less likely to find you out. Yet there are many people who still mention their own name and place of residence on a forum. Then a year later they post that their boss is an incredible jerk. Suppose the boss types in the name of one of these people on Google.nl, and the boss finds this posted message on the forum, will this be positive for the career of these people?
Tips on the Internet
Are you shocked what can be found about you on Google.nl? Then see what you can delete from the internet yourself, for example by changing or deleting messages. If this is not possible, you can always contact the owner of a particular website to request that this information be removed.
If you are active on a forum, use a nickname and do not mention your name and place of residence. This makes you (almost) impossible to trace. Always be careful what you post on social media and what kind of profile photos you choose. Because one thing is certain, you are viewed on the internet more often than you think.