The world knows who you are

Twenty-five years ago, minor indiscretions were quickly forgotten and any evidence of such missteps faded with time.

Not so today.

Take the case of an early-20s, up-and-coming college grad, facing a bright future in the burgeoning technology industry. He's worked hard and can't wait to clear off his debt and then get on with making some real money.

Trouble is, when he was in his late teens, he got stupid one night. Drank a little too much and then stole a bag of Doritos at a convenience store. Big joke. The police didn't think so. He was charged, pleaded guilty and received a slap on the wrist from the judge. No big deal, won't do that again.

Then, the first job interview. Things go well, he hits it off with his potential employer and goes home confident the job is his.

But in these times, the Internet has stepped ahead of personal references when it comes to measuring a person's character. A quick Google search and the boss knows his candidate is a thief, petty or not. In fact, the newspaper archive account is the first thing that comes up.

Media sources are wrestling with this question. At what point is the debt to society paid? How long should someone's name be held up to scrutiny? When should the transgression be wiped from his online record?

Social networking is another area people take too lightly. The great thing about networks like Facebook is it tells the world a lot about you. The bad thing about networks like Facebook is it tells the world a lot about you.

Young people, in particular, like to put it out there for the world to see. Some of the information is restricted viewing, as much as it can be. However, when a potential employer zeroes in on a candidate's Facebook file, the photos alone can be pretty telling. A provocative pose. A picture or video of a harmless party setting can easily be misconstrued.

That's why it's imperative that each individual is aware of how much of their life is exposed to the outside world and knows how that could affect future endeavours. If parents haven't had the discussion with their social-networking children, then it's high time.

A minor indiscretion 25 years ago was nothing. Today, the same minor indiscretion could be life-altering.

Now, go Google yourself. You might be surprised by what you find.

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Post: Prince Albert Daily Herald,

30 10th St. E., Prince Albert, SK S6V 0Y5

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