Inside of a high school, it is rare to meet someone who does not have a Facebook, a Twitter account or does not use any kind of social network. Statuses are constantly being updated and pictures being posted throughout each day. People should always be careful about what they post because once it’s posted, regardless if it’s later deleted, it really stays there forever.
So, can posts that someone thinks are harmless affect one’s future? Recently, a star athlete attending Don Bosco Prep was expelled due to racial and sexually graphic Twitter posts. He was one of the top Football players in the country! He told ESPN that, “Georgia, Cal, Michigan State and Notre Dame” had all expressed an interest in his football skills. Once the colleges got a look at his Twitter, that all changed. Some of the posts were so offensive that colleges no longer believed he had the athletic and intellectual integrity needed to succeed in their institutions.
Pictures and things people write can indeed have a detrimental effect on their lives regardless of their age. Pictures at parties with alcohol, racial comments and bullying can all affect your future. Even though all settings are supposed to be private, prospective employers and college admission officers are still capable of accessing all of the posts. Certain posts can hinder one’s chances at many things. It’s unfortunate that many people learn the hard way that posting rude comments can actually affect them in the long run.