You are what you upload on the Internet
Johanna Lepro-Green
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: Opinions
I've always been incredibly cautious, especially when it comes to decisions that could possibly impact my future. I like to have control over my image. I speak carefully and try to screw-up in private. Because I've seen a number of friends' lives permanently changed after they let their guard down or made rash decisions, I am constantly reminding myself that actions usually have consequences.
For some reason, I'm not that way on the Internet. The rules I've made up for myself about acceptable behavior in the "real world" don't seem to apply when I'm online. I'll admit something here: I am an idiot when it comes to the way I represent myself on the Internet, probably more than most. If any potential employers were to stumble upon some of the things that have been posted of me in the virtual world, I'd not only be embarrassed, but undoubtedly without a job as well.
Lately, I find myself having dreams about people discovering the secret life I once led online. I imagine finally publishing a novel and having my professional career as a writer tainted by the bad choices I made when I didn't fully comprehend that the Internet is real life and not some magical place that absolves you of all responsibility. And while I have stopped most of the seriously stupid, and frankly dangerous, behavior that I participated in, I still make mistakes online, even though I try to remember that whatever I do on the Web can and probably will come back to bite me in the future.
This was made especially obvious when someone recognized me from something on the Internet. As they called me by the name I had used then, I suddenly understood that I do not lead two separate lives. What happens online represents the real you, and what you do on the computer will forever impact your world, no matter how small or insignificant your actions may seem to be.
Despite my previous "anything goes" attitude, I'm making strides. Over the past few months, I've become increasingly aware of how a Facebook status, picture or hastily written blog post could not only affect my future in my chosen professional field - at least I'm not going into politics - but my future as a happy, successful woman as well.
For some reason, I'm not that way on the Internet. The rules I've made up for myself about acceptable behavior in the "real world" don't seem to apply when I'm online. I'll admit something here: I am an idiot when it comes to the way I represent myself on the Internet, probably more than most. If any potential employers were to stumble upon some of the things that have been posted of me in the virtual world, I'd not only be embarrassed, but undoubtedly without a job as well.
Lately, I find myself having dreams about people discovering the secret life I once led online. I imagine finally publishing a novel and having my professional career as a writer tainted by the bad choices I made when I didn't fully comprehend that the Internet is real life and not some magical place that absolves you of all responsibility. And while I have stopped most of the seriously stupid, and frankly dangerous, behavior that I participated in, I still make mistakes online, even though I try to remember that whatever I do on the Web can and probably will come back to bite me in the future.
This was made especially obvious when someone recognized me from something on the Internet. As they called me by the name I had used then, I suddenly understood that I do not lead two separate lives. What happens online represents the real you, and what you do on the computer will forever impact your world, no matter how small or insignificant your actions may seem to be.
Despite my previous "anything goes" attitude, I'm making strides. Over the past few months, I've become increasingly aware of how a Facebook status, picture or hastily written blog post could not only affect my future in my chosen professional field - at least I'm not going into politics - but my future as a happy, successful woman as well.
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timbrooks
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posted 3/17/10 @ 2:57 PM EST
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