The Facebook “Faux Pas”

It seems like we have been told a thousand times; never put anything on Facebook you would not want your mother to see. Then WHY are people still putting things on Facebook that often seem wildly inappropriate for the world wide web. Do people really not understand that once something is put online it remains Internet property regardless of whether you remove it? If you are one of the many people still questioning where the line is between appropriate and inappropriate, here a few tips to keeping your profile clean.

How to present your best self on Facebook:

• Profile Picture

Choose an appropriate profile picture. This is obviously easier said than done; but to put it simply, this means nothing provocative or anything where you are making any sort of “silly” face. Absolutely nothing in your profile photo should indicate that you have been drinking or drunk. There is a crop tool for a reason, if there is a solo cup in your picture… crop it out. To keep it safe just avoid any photo where you are in an obvious party setting.

• Status

Avoid excessive status updates. Twitter exists for a reason, if you feel the need to alert the world with the minute details of your life, that’s a post for twitter. Updating your status multiple times a day is just annoying to everyone else.

• Venting

Never post negative things about your school, your work, your professors, etc. Nothing good can come of that. If you feel the need to vent, call a friend.

• Profanity

Do not use profanity in your posts. There is no need to be vulgar or politically incorrect on Facebook, most likely someone reading it will be offended.

• “Liking”

Keep in mind that everything you “like” under your profile information makes you a representative of that brand, club, organization, team, etc. Be respectful and mindful of your posts, you don’t want to be a poor rep. 
It is easy to get lost in the Facebook world and forget that your posts are visible to all your friends and networks. Be very wary of your privacy settings and make sure that everything is set to your own comfort level of sharing. Remember that people cannot easily read tone via the Internet, so air on the cautious side with your jokes. Facebook is a powerful social media tool, do your best to avoid abusing it, and have fun with it!