Facebook Follies Hurt Student Opportunity

by Chris Shaker - 11/07
NEIRAD enilno edition

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The posting a young person puts on the web today can have severe consequences in the future. A Facebook entry can potentially limit a student’s ability to get into a college. Many young people do not realize the potentially negative ramifications to their college and professional career.

“I am careful now about what I put on Facebook but only because of previous cases,” A DHS student said.
According to a hockey player, they were suspended from several games after administration learned about Facebook pictures, which showed this student athlete drinking alcohol. Facebook, is a social network site that keeps friends and peers connected online. Students often think that they are safe if they block everyone that they have not “friended”   But according to DHS guidance counselor Debra Webb-Maloney this screening procedure does not stop colleges from still viewing personal information. Prior to joining DHS this fall, Ms Maloney served on the Admissions board of The College of New Rochelle for six years. She saw teenagers suffer serious consequences because of their online activity.

“Some students were not accepted because of what was on their Facebook,” Webb-Maloney said. Debra Webb-Maloney said information on Facebook becomes the school’s information once a student brings it to the university’s attention. For example, if the college learns about offensive or illegal activity the applicant might not be recruited. This information surprises many students. “How do the colleges get on to my Facebook?” Tally Thoren said.   

Maloney urges students to think carefully before posting information on Facebook or any website.  “Students should use their best judgment. And if you would not say it to fellow student then it’s not a good idea to put it out there.” A random night of drinking or other high school mishap could even haunt a student into the workplace. More than one-quarter (26.9 percent) of employers report they Google candidates or review job applicant profiles on social networking sites, according to a recent poll conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). So, think twice before you share a so-called Facebook secret with the world at large.