Though students may feel like they couldn’t have been born without it, it bears repeating that Facebook — the Internet giant that documents and consumes the lives of millions — is still less than four years old. In its current form, MySpace is not yet five. Users of social networking sites have yet to discover all the ways their profiles can share information with both wanted and unwanted parties. Though the rules have yet to be set in stone, students would be best to err on the side of caution when exposing their personal information.
Students can take heart in the fact that the Office of Admissions, as a matter of policy, does not search applicants’ profiles when making its decisions. But students in positions that draw more attention are not nearly as safe. Coaches and potential employers can dedicate much more time to scouring the Internet for anything that might make them treat students differently. Whether they have the right to do this is irrelevant — anyone with access to an open profile has the ability to see what its owner has posted.
College athletes should be especially wary of posting messages or pictures that could get them in trouble with school authorities. Just like on the real-life rink or court, an athlete’s online profile will be more closely scrutinized than the average student’s. Coaches and fans alike tend to hold players to a higher standard. Whether athletes like it or not, they cannot expect the same degree of privacy most students assume they have.
Before students rush to call possible profile surveillance an invasion of privacy, they should remember that anyone can surreptitiously check their profiles as long as they choose to post them online. One need only make a profile private — even for a short period of time — to avoid revealing embarrassing facts to authorities. Then there is always discretion — choose whether to post material bearing in mind who you would not like to see it rather than who you would.