Facebook. Twitter. YouTube.  While some may say that Web 2.0 and social networking are the best ways to stay connected, they can also cause a lifetime of regret. 
Recently, U.S. Olympic snowboarder Scott Lago found himself headed home in the middle of the 2010 Winter Olympics.  He left Vancouver, British Columbia, after racy photos were posted on the Internet of him and a woman partying after he won the bronze.  The photos show Lago with a woman kneeling in front of him and holding his medal in her mouth.  
Obviously, the sexual connotation of the photos created an incredible amount of controversy.  Lago did not uphold the standard of Team USA Olympians.  He is the second U.S. Olympian in just over a year to be in the spotlight as a result of photos posted online. 
In February 2009, 14-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps lost sponsorship by companies such as Kellogg’s after photos of him smoking marijuana were posted on the Internet.
Both of these Olympians lost an incredible amount of respect from these photos, which made headlines worldwide.  I am sure that these men can vouch for the fact that what goes on the Internet stays on the Internet.  Everything, from photos taken at a party to messages sent to friends, remains on the World Wide Web permanently.
Some people think that they can post anything on their Facebook accounts because they set their own privacy.  Well, think again.  You have no control over content that others post. 
According to NBC news, 10 percent of the nation’s top 500 colleges use social media to evaluate students.  Even just one profile picture of you holding a beer when underage could affect your entire collegiate future.
And what about potential employers?  An overwhelming 45 percent of employers use social networking sites during the hiring process, and 11 percent plan to do the same in the near future, according to the Oregon Business Report. 
Just because you aren’t “tagged” in something doesn’t mean that some potential employer or dean of admissions won’t find it.  Even criminal prosecutors have begun using online photos as evidence in cases such as drunk driving and assault, according to CBS News.
Social media is definitely new to this generation.  Students need to understand the responsibility that comes with what they post on the Internet.  If it is illegal, it should not be up there.  And even if it is legal, that doesn’t mean that it’s OK. 
Newer forms of communication are still not subject to the ethical codes that apply to other media.  There are few restrictions as to who and what can be published.  This becomes problematic when something is unwillingly posted but you don’t have control over it.
According to the Facebook contract, you give license for the site to do whatever it wants with anything you post.  Facebook also states that they cannot promise that all content will not be accessed by an unauthorized party. 
This means that you are not fully protected.  There are hackers out there.  Other people have the ability to use this content against you.
Protect yourself and your future by being responsible.  Make sure that you are aware of all photos and videos being taken of you.  It’s just a matter of being in the right state of mind.  Watch what’s in your hand, your actions and how you represent yourself.  Don’t post anything that you wouldn’t want others to see in the future because once it’s part of the World Wide Web, there’s no going back.