Web Articles
June 24, 2009 by writingwithtechnology
How do you feel about the information regarding peeps use of the web? Should future employers use the web to check out a new possible hire? Should we as teachers be more aware of our own use of Web 2.0 opportunities? Is it our job to remind students that their footprints on the web are kind of permanent? Should we be teaching them more academic ways to use their digital native born talents?
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Here’s a wild one from Bozeman, Montana…
http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2009/06/19/news/10socialnetworking.txt
-Doug
This is a great article! Especially in today’s job market, students should be more aware than ever of things employers look at that could possibly discredit job candidates. We’ve preached at them before about Facebook items that could get them in trouble, but maybe if they read about it in a “real world” article, it might have more impact.
It always amazes me how little some people value their privacy or will inappropriately use technology–do some people really send friend requests to potential employers??!!
Sheryl
I actually laughed at the articles. I can’t believe there are people out there who actually publish inappropriate pictures or pictures that aren’t the most professional on places such as facebook AND then expect to get a professional position. I plan to keep these articles and read them to my students as something for them to think about. They seem fearless and worry-free when it comes to posting information on the Internet.
Lisa
I’m not sure how I feel about employers doing searches for possible employees. On one hand I think if we are going to be out on the web for say that we need to pay close attention to what we are placing out there for people to see. However on the other hand I think we do have the right to a private social life, people have different views of what is right or wrong. Let’s say for instance that someone has posted pictures from a church event and the potential employer isn’t a church going type. They could make a very discriminating decision based on this. This is a hypothetical case where I could see this as a bad practice. I do think though that our students need to be very careful about the info they place on the web, I think they have the attitude that nothing can be hurt its just on the web and it can’t be followed back to them. Even though the web is a great educational tool I think it can be very dangerous also.
Addie
After seeing what some people put on the social networking sites the articles really didn’t surprise me. Letting students know that it does matter what they put out for the world see is crucial. I do think that I will mention the articles when facebook comes up in class.
Roxanne
I read the articles last night and thought they just seemed like common sense. To me, kids old enough to understand how to post things on the internet should be old enough to deal with the consequences that may come from inappropriate content. Sometimes kids can’t seem to filter through fun and games and what might come back to hurt them in the long run. I can’t say I blame employers for checking up on potential employees, kids just need to be aware that what is out there about them is “free game”.
It’s funny that we were assigned to read these articles yesterday because just recently in the news, there was a case in which two women were fired from their jobs at a restuarant because their manager found they had posted unkind comments about him to a private chatroom. The two women sued and won. I’m sure the story can be found on CNN.com.
I agree with Lisa. I use social networking sites, but I’m also careful with what content I post. I am always taken aback when I see people post something that later could come back to haunt them. I coach cheerleading, and I always tell my girls that they must be very careful with what pictures and text they post to ANYTHING on the Internet. I DO believe it’s my responsibility as their coach to remind them of their web presence. I know that one of my girls lately had problems with a boy who kept calling her because she had posted her cell phone number on her Facebook page. In fact, we’ve had many speakers come in to speak to our students about web safety and their presence.
I do allow former students to add me as their friends on Facebook. However, I do NOT allow current students to access my information. This is to protect me and them. Who would want their teacher/ coach spying on them all the time? I feel like we’re all entitled to our privacy.
I’m very guarded on my profile information on Facebook and beyond. I often even second guess whether or not I should list my political affiliations on my profile. However, once again, I truly believe that these sites are well intentioned and useful, as long as the user uses common sense.
I think that it is our responsibility as educators to educate students about the web. Students today are considered ‘digital born’ but they still need guidance. Educating them about how future employers and college admission representatives research future candidates on the web needs to be addressed. These articles would be good to share with high school students.
I found the articles very interesting. I recently watched a television program on the same topic. There are a lot of people out there with very little common sense. People really need to think before they post information and pictures about themselves. Never know who might view it. I have spoken with my children about this. I hope they don’t forget it.
Should future employers use the web to check out a new possible hire?
Should they? Yes, I would want to if I were an employer. Will they? I guess the courts will decide that eventually. I thought we still had some freedom of speech; however, some people are so belligerent about abusing it they should probably be avoided also in jobs that require common sense.
Should we as teachers be more aware of our own use of Web 2.0 opportunities?
Yes, definitely. Kids are using it. We should, too!
Is it our job to remind students that their footprints on the web are kind of permanent?
I don’t know if that is in EVERY teacher’s job description; however, as someone who is supposed to teach some CyberSafety and Internet use I know I tell them that.
Should we be teaching them more academic ways to use their digital native born talents?
Definitely. Most students WANT more ways to be creative on the Web. If we don’t challenge them they will find dumb (or even inappropriate) ways to amuse themselves online.
I have been sharing this information with my students for the past year. Even though I really don’t think it is right for employers to search social networks to determine whether I would be an appropriate employee because of what I do on my own time, it happens all of the time.
I am appalled at what people place on the web. Many people don’t think about the ramifications of placing something out there for everyone (the entire world) to see. I try to teach my students that when they or a friend places something on the Internet, it is never gone. Someone sees it, they copy it, they post it, save it to their computer, send it to all of their friends and the cycle can continue on. It never ends no matter how many times you delete the inappropriate item, it keeps continuing.
Even though this may seem wrong, we live in the age of technology and digital communication and it is going to happen. It is my responsibility to teach my students safe guards to protect themselves and to be aware of what the entire world can see.
Michelle P.
I think anything you personally choose to put out there on the web is fair game for an employer to pull from. People simply need to be conscientious in how they present themselves to the public. Most of the sites that are mentioned in the articles are social networking sites, making them public sites. I don’t see your public profile on these sites being any different from how you choose to present yourself in person. People (most certainly including students) need to realize that a certain demeanor is required in public life, whether it be in person or on the web.