Matt Haupt

We have all seen it in the news and throughout any career-related site; with the entrance of social networks, people need to be careful about how they are portrayed online.

You all know what I’m talking about. We have heard the horror stories of people who were not hired because of some kind of “incriminating” evidence  that was found through the  internet. Whether or not these stories are actually true or not, is another story.

It does seem though, however, that online identity is getting a lot of attention nowadays. So much so, that I actually received a message from CollegeGrad.com today saying they can keep watch over my “Online Reputation” by keeping embarrassing things hidden (for only $14.95/month none-the-less!!) when employers search for my name.

Whether or not these employers are actually finding pictures of you at your last ugly-Christmas sweater party in college (see right) really isn’t the point of this post however.

How do you think privacy is going to change as more and more people move to social networking, exposing more of their lives to the world? Will there be a movement to keep your picture, videos, and personal blogs private to only you, your family and friends?

Or will there be an opposite movement, where privacy is a thing of the past, where transparency is king?

There is a huge divide in how privacy, and transparency, are going to be effected as the years go on.

(Some great quotes on the subject can be seen in the research from the PEW Internet and American Life Project (page 63).)

Some seem to think privacy will be the name of the game in a few years with more and more companies popping up, preaching that they can “save” your online identity just like CollegeGrad.com. (I’m sure there are already 10-20 companies already advertising these services).

And, you can see this even now, more and more people are becoming skeptical on what they should display online, since they are worried about who will see what. This can be seen mostly in the recent graduate market, who are trying to manipulate their social networking profiles from “woo hoo college!” to “I’m looking for a job” format.

But here is a thought.

Is there ever going to be a time where we can still display those inappropriate pictures, video and links? Where we don’t have to hid really anything from potential employers because…

They really don’t care?

One of the PEW Internet and American Life Project quotes makes a good point. Years ago, tattoos that could be seen during the work hours were seen as inappropriate and looked down upon. However, nowadays, tattoos are more commonplace. Same with body piercings. Same with weird colored hair.

Couldn’t inappropriate things on your personal website or social network profile be looked over eventually as well?

What do you guys think? Is privacy going to change at all? Are there going to be strict rules, or are they going to loosen? Are employers going to be more tolerant of the personal lives of their potential employees?