Monday, October 28, 2013

Social Media Guidelines For Student-Athletes

I just read an article promoting the need for school's to have a social media policy for their student-athletes.  May be something we consider, but it also had some guidelines for students that I share in today's blog.  This is from the High School Today magazine, published by the National Federation of High Schools, written by John P. Williams. 

Social Media Guidelines for Student-Athletes

1.  Be careful with how much and what kind of identifying information you post on social networking sites.  It's unwise to make available information such as full date of birth, social security number, address, phone number, cell phone numbers, class schedules, bank account information, or details about daily routine.  All of these can facilitate identify theft or stalking.  Remember, once posted the information becomes the property of the web site.

2.  Be aware that potential current and future employers and college admissions offices often access information you place on online social networking sites.  Realize that any information you post will provide an image of you to prospective employers and/or schools.  The posting is considered public information.  Protect yourself by maintaining a self-image you can be proud of years from now.

3.  Be careful in responding  to unsolicited e-mails asking for passwords or PIN numbers.  Reputable businesses do not ask for this information online.

4.  Do not have a false sense of security about your rights to freedom of speech.  Understand that freedom of speech is not unlimited.  Social networking sites are NOT a place where you can say and do whatever you want without repercussions.

5.  Remember that photos once put on the social network site's server become the property of the site.  You may delete the photo from your profile, but it still stays in their server.  Internet search engines like Google and Yahoo may still find that image long after you have deleted it from your profile.  Think long and hard about what type of photo you want to represent you.

One of the biggest lessons social networking users can learn is that anything they post online enters the public record.  High school students should carefully consider their profiles and ask themselves how they would look to a future college admissions officer or potential employer.

Choose Wisely Wildcats.  What you post now could eventually have an impact in the future.  

#Wildcatpride

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