Google yourself...

Google yourself.... are you happy with the results? Social media or the negative use of social media may be the difference between getting a job, scholarship or accepted to college. Students today are facing challenges different than any other generation. Their desire to connect with friends online to share all life has to offer is fun and entertaining but could be detrimental to their future. As a kid growing up I made mistakes just like all of you. The difference today is that many students post updates or are tagged in photos recording their mistakes forever for anyone to see online. Potential employers and colleges are watching and they are judging students based on their online behavior.


I use social media daily and connect with many educators across the globe. It has helped me become a better administrator and educator. I mainly use Twitter and understand the benefit of being connected. Students use Twitter as well but they don't always compose the greatest updates or tweets. Parents, I highly recommend that you try the tool Kred.com. Kred will create a visual representation of the online activity of Twitter users. All you need to do is insert the individuals Twitter handle to compile the activity of the user. I use this tool to check on prospective teachers. You should use this tool to monitor what your child is doing and saying on Twitter.

I am a believer in social  media. It is a very powerful tool. It can organize large groups of people and raise millions of dollars for political candidates. It can also connect you to amazing people all over the globe with similar interests. You can use social media to learn and share through Personal Learning Networks (PLN). Make social media work for you - not against you. How you use social media should help you get a job, scholarship or into college instead of eliminating opportunities for you.

Items that you must remove or delete from your online presence include:

1. profanity
2. crude, risque or sexual innuendos
3. racist remarks
4. pictures of illegal or illicit behavior 

Your digital footprint is a direct reflection of who you are as an individual.