Think before you post!

One of the biggest advantages that social media has given us is a voice and the ability to influence in matter of seconds. The best part is that we need not put our lives in a compromising situation because we are too far for anyone to make physical contact with us. This then gives the illusion that we are untouchable or cannot be found. Who hears us or how they hear about us does not matter. All that concerns us is that we have said what we wanted to say.


Reality is this couldn't be far from the truth. People have this bad tendency of being explicit, sexist and of course racist on social networks. We tolerate this and turn a blind eye and some of us have clicked the “HIDE POST” button more than we should. This does not help in fact it worsens over time as the same people apply this to individuals, brands, companies the list goes on.

There are many cases locally and internationally that have depicted the absence of this word. Even so people have not changed their behaviour.

Paul Chambers a 27 year old British young man,was recently found guilty after he had tweeted in frustration. Paul discovered that Robin Hood airport in South Yorkshire was closed due to snow. Eager to see his girlfriend, Paul sent out a tweet on the publicly accessible site declaring: "Crap! Robin Hood airport is closed. You’ve got a week and a bit to get your s*** together otherwise I’m blowing the airport sky high!!”

In February 2013 Zama Khumalo posted for his 493 Facebook friends he would be sending out invitations to a “Big Black Braai" to celebrate that 42 white children died when their school bus plunged into the Johannesburg dam in 1985.

Liam Stacey 21 year old student from Swansea University was suspended for the remainder of his academic year and is not allowed to return to campus, Stacey posted on tweeter‘’LOL (laugh out loud). F*** Muamba. He's dead!!!''

What people don't realize is that the word "PRIVACY" does not exist on social networks and that is one thing that many of us don't seem to grasp.

When we meet a a girl or a guy for the first time what most of us are likely to do is to consult uncle "Google" and aunt "facebook" before even consulting those who gave us life (our parents). Personally I admit to doing this so much that I have lost count. The same principle is applied by your prospective employer and God knows who else!


This gives one an impression or an idea of the kind of what kind of a girlfriend, boyfriend or employee you might be. Some of the most respected social media gurus have advised that one should not say things on social networks that they would not say in person. People that are considering a career in area such as PR, Journalism in fact in any other profession are advised to think before you post, because one post could cost you a career or your dream.