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Facebook: Use with Caution
by Gina Grove and Matt Morrissey

Experts say that Facebook and other networking sites can harm students academically, and in their future career. According to Facebook statistics, Facebook users upload more than two billion photos and 14 million videos each month. On the surface this seems completely harmless, but students beware--there are some pitfalls to avoid with photos.

Career

Some businesses now use online social communities to do background checks on potential employees. Websites such as Spokeo.com allow employers to access a candidate’s networking page.

Michael Pennington, a job developer for Penn State Altoona’s Career Services Department, believes that there are two very detrimental things a student can post online. “Pictures of students engaging in inappropriate or illegal behaviors.” He also feels using foul language on wall posts and status updates is detrimental.  Concerning photos, Pennington challenges the students by asking, “Would you mind your mother seeing that picture?” He says, “If it doesn’t bother you, then I guess it’s okay.”

Classroom

Internet access is aplenty across college campuses. This ease of access allows for easy distractions from schoolwork. Part time Penn State Altoona professor, Brian Shoenfelt, thinks social networking is very distracting to students, especially if they are doing it during a skills based course.

“If you’re paying attention to something else, you’ll miss out on absorbing the information.”

It is also distracting for professors when students are surfing online profiles. Shoenfelt feels that it is neither the student surfing the net, nor the professor this hurts the most.

“The people that suffer most are the students who work with these students on group projects.” He feels as though the students who aren’t absorbing the information during class are far less productive during group projects. It can slow the whole group down.

Tips

Pennington provides some tips regarding students’ online profiles.

• Make your site more professional, especially in the “about me” section. 
• For example:  Interests and hobbies should include volunteer work and clubs, but the information must be true.
• Do NOT put things like partying and beer pong as a hobby or interest.
• Treat your site as if an employer were looking at it.
• Make your site classy, especially your photos.
• Do NOT include anything incriminating or illegal.
• When including clubs and organizations that you belong to make sure they are legitimate.
• Do NOT be funny about the clubs and organizations.
• Be careful with wall messages.
• Do NOT swear or use inappropriate nicknames.
• This includes the messages you allow on your page and messages posted on other’s pages.
• Use networking sites to network.
• Use the sites to keep in touch with friends and family.
• Do NOT use the sites as a way to show off your partying habits.
• And last, remember that whatever you put on the Internet is very public.
• Read the policy and procedures manual at your job to see what it may say about social networking.
• Think about what can happen after you leave Penn State Altoona.
• Know that ANYONE can view and use the information on your networking site either for or against you.

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