Myspace Invaded
April 04, 2008

Crusader Staff

So does what you post on Facebook and Myspace, stay on Facebook and Myspace? Nope, and severe consequence have been shown due to the posting of inappropriate photos or comments.
Here is a prime example. A 27-year-old Millersville University student was denied her teaching certificate after apparently the University in Millersville, Pennsylvania found pictures on her Myspace page. The photo in question was from 2005 at a Halloween party where the student was dressed as a pirate drinking from a yellow plastic, “Mr. Goodbar” cup; however, the caption read “Drunken Pirate.” Apparently the caption led faculty to believe that the student was too unprofessional to teach youth.
The thing is, she was 25 at the time the picture was taken.
Isn’t the legal drinking age 21?
There might have been a zero tolerance policy, but we feel that what you do in your free time is your business. She was 25 when the picture was taken, and this should have not played such a crucial role in her education and future career.
What makes this any different than if someone witnessed a teacher, CEO, etc., at a local establishment enjoying a beer? If it is witnessed, isn’t that the same as if there was a picture? The only difference there is that a picture is a more provable truth then a visual spotting.
Is this another chance for “Big Brother” to watch over people?
There has been more than one case in which an individual has been denied a further education, or a job, because of someone’s interpretation of a picture.
Facebook and Myspace are social networks in which you can connect with old, current, and new friends. The photos are just a mere part of the sites.
Nevertheless, what is posted on those sites, either in text or photo format, have been shown to have implications on the given person’s future.
We feel that if the posted information or photo is breaking the law, then yes, such implications can be applied. However, acts that are done, legally, should not have the role in deciding one’s future.
This extended to the point that employers, educators, and now even parents, can visually track who they want.
Think you have all your profiles set to private? Some instances on Facebook allow anyone within your network to view your profile, unless you have changed your privacy settings to only allow accepted friends to view it. There is a catch though. If someone were to send you a message through Facebook, and you respond, that grants that person the ability to view your profile. Also, any group or event that you create is for public viewing. Anything that you put for that group/event can be seen by anyone.
Same goes for Myspace. Unless you have your profile set to private, virtually anyone can view your page, and everything linked to it.
Bottom line, we feel that this invasion of our privacy is wrong, but we have a slim chance in being able to direct those future employers, educators, or parents to not cast judgments on information and pictures that are posted. We are more suited to tell you if you don’t want to be in question for your future, take down any inappropriate items or pictures that may be seen distasteful. Don’t put your future in jeopardy because just like in the story with the Millersville student, one mistake may cost you the future that you want.