iStalk

Recently, some unsavory aspects of Facebook have been exposed.

Aside from their perpetually changing layouts and "stalker-feeds," drama about deleted photos being retained has come to light. BBC News reported that photographs on social networking sites, such as Facebook, can remain even after they're deleted.

I know for most users, this news is pretty alarming. What is most alarming to me, though, are the pictures that end up online in the first place. Blatant portraits of underage drinking are definitely not the most flattering material to find on a page. Especially if you're a future employer. Or if you're someone looking to take advantage of the right girl. Sure, if you have your page set to private, no one can see it, right? Which, for some ECU students, means a sense of safety for posting those fall-down drunk or alluring photos.

Well, "private" doesn't necessarily mean that you're really protected. If one of your friends tags you in that album, one of their friends, a total stranger, could view that album.

Don't get me wrong here, I'm not trying to condemn. But what happens when someone who does condemn those activities, such as a potential boss, stumbles upon it?

If these photos are not deleted permanently when you erase them, any future employer could potentially see them after simply googling a name.

According to a 2008 survey conducted by Careerbuilder.com, 20 percent of employers admitted to viewing social-networking sites and 9 percent plan to use them in their future hiring process. 24 percent of employers decided to make job offers to applicants based on their profiles and 33 percent didn't make job offers based on applicant profiles. So if losing a six figure salary is your desire, simply click upload and put those pictures from that bender up on your page.

My point is this: let's say that there is a highly embarrassing photo of me dressed as a leprechaun on my Facebook. This photo does exist and is a favorite among friends.

Now let's say my friend printed that photo out and stapled it on every street post in downtown Asheville. Something he did do.

How many people saw it that day? Possibly hundreds.

I try to comfort myself by saying that just a couple dozen people saw the "Have you Seen This Leprechaun?" But potentially, a stalker or a projected associate could have seen that.

It was posted near the office of a newspaper I hope to apply at one day. I'm sure an editor opening my file would love to see me in a top hat with a red beard. Now imagine that the picture was not of me in a leprechaun suit. Imagine it's me completely smashed, partaking in typical party activities.

If that photo was found on every street post in downtown Asheville, I'm pretty certain I'd never get a job in that area.

The point is, don't put them up if you don't want them to be seen. Deleting them does not guarantee that you are safe. Just because Facebook has not implemented the proposed policy does not mean your Facebook stalker didn't grab that picture for their personal collection. A collection that could be used to manipulate you, blackmail you or even be emailed to an employer.

Wouldn't that just ruin a nice day?

This writer can be contacted at opinion@theeastcarolinian.com