College students warned about Internet postings

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For the first time, student orientation will probably include warnings to students about posting information about themselves on many of the popular social networking websites.

It’s not just the personal information they post on sites that can come back to haunt them, but other things like comments in blogs about professors, elected officials or party photos can draw
the attention of school officials and police.

Experts indicate that students look at these postings as “part of their own little world,” but don’t realize the public nature of the Internet has blossomed into global availability of content.

Isn’t it funny how things “just appear” on the Internet? Things like sports’ teams hazing photos, pictures of underage students drinking from the beer bong or posting dangerous comments about elected officials (doesn’t matter if you were only joking). Suddenly, it’s not so funny when the Secret Service comes knocking at your door.

Most schools don’t “actively patrol” web postings, but they do respond to complaints they may receive about web content.

Believe it or not, many prospective employers and recruiters are increasingly visiting the Internet scoping out potential hires; police departments do the same.

Schools officials say the social networking sites have their place as part of a positive college experience when used for identity formation with groups of students or as a bonding tool, but they also warn students to think before they post.


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Union Plus is working with American Education Services (AES) to help parents and students prepare for the world of continuing education. AES employes over 1,000 members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union.

The Union Plus College Planning Center site can answer everything from "How do I get to college?" to "How do I pay for college?"