When I was in school, I have a vivid memory of taking a picture with a tongue filter on Snapchat and using it as my profile picture. However, when my dad saw it, he became angry and instructed me to delete the picture and refrain from posting such images on social media. At the time, I didn't fully understand his reasoning. He explained that the image I projected on social media wasn't an accurate reflection of my true identity and that it could have future repercussions. Although I initially thought he was overreacting, I complied out of respect. Over time, I've come to realize the wisdom behind my dad's teachings.
In today's world, many people, especially young individuals, engage in reckless behavior on social media without considering the consequences. They share inappropriate images of themselves in an attempt to appear trendy and enlightened. They also engage in online harassment and verbally attack those who hold differing opinions, resorting to fights and even cursing other users over trivial matters such as a difference in celebrity preferences. Witnessing such behavior saddens me deeply.
It's true that many people lack proper guidance when it comes to using social media. They operate under the belief that their phones and social media accounts are solely their own, granting them the freedom to act as they please. To them, it's all fun and games.
However, this mindset is flawed.
In 2022, a Ghanaian actress named Yvonne Nelson tweeted about a young man who attended a job interview. During the interview, she asked for the applicant's Twitter handle and discovered that she had previously blocked him due to his past negative comments. Similarly, in 2022, another young man lost a banking job because he had publicly criticized and trolled the bank in the past. Neither of them anticipated that their juvenile behavior would eventually cost them opportunities in life.
In many ways, social media has replaced traditional CVs or resumes. Numerous social media platforms now allow employers to conduct comprehensive background checks on applicants' profiles. Research shows that approximately 51% of public posts are used to assess a candidate's suitability for a job and whether their social media activities align with the company's code of conduct. Social media has also become a marketplace where individuals can trade, build their personal brands, find employment, and start businesses.
There are individuals or groups observing your online presence who have the power to influence your future and change your life forever. The question is, what do they see when they investigate your social media activities? What image are you portraying? When people search for your name, what will they find? Social media is not solely about posting beautiful selfies, engaging in banter, or sharing jokes. Times have changed, and the era of securing a job solely based on impressive credentials and interview performance is fading away.
Social media has now become the new CV. It is essential for young individuals to exercise caution in their online interactions.
Written by: Jael Jahdiirim Samuel
