Young Brits have expressed regret over their “digital tattoo” – the indelible marks their activities have left scattered around various social media networks and online video portals.
According to research by security firm Symantec, one-third of under-25s said that they would like to delete parts of their online history, including embarrassing photographs and throwaway comments.
Having said that, 35% said that they didn’t worry at all about what they’d posted online. Perhaps they’ve never inadvertently told their posse via Facebook that he’s a pervert, or had compromising videos posted on YouTube, and they’ve obviously not considered the implications of cyber-crime, either.
Though information and photos can be restricted on some social networks to only those who know you, files still have a nasty habit of getting out.
It seems wisdom comes with age, with under a third of 36-45 year-olds sharing their photos online, and two in ten over-46 year-olds.
MD of Indigo Red, Steve Mallison-Jones, confirmed that many employers now do a search online as an additional means of assessing candidates.
“As a recruiter I cannot stress enough how important your online profile is. Whether its blogging, tweeting, facebooking or uploading videos, a fantastic CV can be dismissed in moments if the online story doesn’t match what I’m reading,” he said.
“When interviewing candidates I find it unbelievable that they don’t realise that all their online activity is indexed and normally traceable. That picture put up from the lad’s night out makes me ask some extra questions and I want to probe and prove I am getting the best candidates for my clients.â€
It’s worth remembering that, even if you don’t put up compromising photos of yourself, one of your “mates” might. Keeping a check on your online persona, and having some good answers prepared for anything that slips through may well be a smart move.
Originally posted on September 4, 2009 @ 3:26 pm