By: Sierra Williams
Staff Writer
While in the application process for college or employment, part of the process may call for the performance of a background check. With social networking being a major part of modern society, Facebook is a common resource employers and colleges look at to learn more about their applicants. While this is an understandable action, it invades the privacy of the applicant and the friends or associates of the applicant.
In Facebook’s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities, Facebook users are told not to give out their password or let anyone who could possibly jeopardize their privacy access their account. A user should not have to let an employer or college have permission to view their private Facebook information to receive college acceptance or a job. Being forced to do this goes against the privacy Facebook attempts to give its users.
It is understandable as to why Facebook would be a good resource to find out about a potential employee or student. It is likely that their Facebook account may contain certain information about the applicant that they would have failed to write in their resumé or talk about in an interview. However, a person should not have to be hired based off of what was found on their Facebook and is entitled to privacy regarding the things they post on there.
According to Gail Currey, a Mira Costa College and Career Counselor, a person’s Facebook might be looked at to find evidence regarding a person’s character. For example, colleges and potential employers might look at a person’s profile to see if someone was photographed consuming alcohol, using drugs or engaged in other illegal activities.
Background checks must be performed to gain information about the person, but a person’s Facebook could contain personal information they would prefer not to share. In certain situations, students are known to change their names on Facebook to avoid being found and looked at. Senior Lauren Manyweather changed her name on Facebook for security purposes, believing that a college looking at her Facebook is an invasion of her privacy. She understands the idea of a background check, but believes that colleges do not need to be involved in her social life.
Other than themselves, a person’s friends on Facebook are looked at as well. The individuals a person chooses to socialize with is another way their character can be easily misinterpreted.Students should actively evaluate their account to get rid of anything that might introduce questions about their character.
Background checks that are performed through Facebook can lead to immediate assumptions and false conclusions about a person. Students should not have to change their profile just to appear as what employers and college want them to be.
Leave a Reply