Last week was the US Presidential Election. I tried to avoid Facebook Tuesday night, but in my line of work it was unavoidable. I saw some posts that were happy about who won, but the majority were complaining about their candidate not winning and how the US is doomed. Did I voice my opinion? No. Did I want to? Heck yeah! I didn’t simply because I didn’t want anything to come back and haunt me or hurt by business.
Unfortunately, not everyone thinks that way.
Wednesday evening, while doing my nightly run-through of Facebook, I came across a picture that was shared from a friend in Michigan. The picture originated from MY TOWN! It was a screenshot of someone from my town who had posted a not-very-friendly rant of the election that night before using words I will not use. ever.
When confronted online, this person proceeded to tell off this person in a vulgar, profanity-laced, derogatory rant. Take a look below (this was a screenshot I took from my newsfeed and sent to a mutual friend of the doctor mentioned):
This post was shared over 1500 times before the night was out. I have friends at this doctor’s office and it was a PR nightmare. It eventually made the local news stations and newspapers. Her profile was disabled and yes, she lost her job. Over one mindless, inappropriate post on Facebook.
Her life is in ruins right now. I do not know her or had even heard of her before this, but a friend of mine has a daughter in her daughter’s class. The kids were not in school the day after this. I cannot even imagine what she’s going through right now.
The lesson to be learned here is BE AWARE of what you are posting. Just because this person’s account is no longer active, this post by the person who shared it is still there. Forever.
Yes, this is America and we have the freedom of speech, but we are to use that freedom carefully. You can say what you want but when you type something online, it’s there for the world to see. There is nothing wrong with expressing your opinion, but if you do, you better be ready for the fallout.
A lot of people post when they are emotional – when they’re mad, frustrated, having a bad day, etc. – but PLEASE think twice before clicking “post”. The longer I work in social media, the more aware of what I post, both professionally and personally. There are times I want to go on a rant because of something that’s made me mad, but I don’t post it. I literally will have tons of sarcastic posts running through my head that I would never dare post.
All I am asking of you is to think twice. Friends don’t let friends post carelessly.
Facebook ruined this woman’s life. Don’t let it ruin yours. You do not want to be the subject of something like this:
“Facebook ruined this woman’s life.” Nope, she did a fine job ruining it herself. She can’t blame anyone else for this.
I was waiting on someone to say that Kris! Yes, she brought it all upon herself, but chose Facebook to be the vehicle. My overall point is to just be careful what you post – anywhere.
How about just don’t be a narrow-minded bigot? That’s probably a better message.
LOL! Yes, that would take care of it as well!
Yikes! It’s amazing how people think Facebook is anonymous or something. I feel bad for her children and what they must be going through, but I am having a hard time feeling bad for her. 🙂 To be able to freely type those racial slurs, she must think in those terms all the time. So sad.
I agree Tara. I really wish people would think twice before clicking “post”.
Public outburst are rarely well accepted. There is a time and place for everything. Social media is about being social not stirring up controversy and strife.
I agree Kim!
Great reminder that when we hit the “post” button… we can’t take it back! Much better to keep these kinds of thoughts in our head or at least write them down in a private journal!
I agree Sue. I wish everyone would be more aware.
oh my, this was sooo naive of her to post her opinion like this. This is a great lesson to learn for everybody!
Agreed with Kris (though I love the hook of your title!). Facebook was just the mechanism she used to broadcast her own poorly chosen words to a rather large audience. Great content talking about the law of unintended consequences on FB and all platforms!
Like you I stayed out of the political conversations both prior to and after the election…but I watched and paid attention to who was saying what. The reason is because I was taught as a young child that it is wrong to judge…that in time people will show their true colors and reveal the truth about themselves. That is what I did and I can tell you that I was very disillusioned by several people I once held in high esteem. Thanks for sharing you thoughts!
Mandy you’re right, too many people forget Facebook is forever.
Wow! Really don’t know what else to say…this is unreal in this day and age! Good luck sister getting a new job!
Ouch. Although Social Media can be a very powerful tool, it can also be powerful (in a negative way) if not used with care. This is a clear cut example of why we all need to be mindful of what goes out on the Internet.
The first thing that should be taught and/or understood about social media is that it’s not private. Least of all is Facebook, as Mark Zuckerberg certainly has no respect for privacy, he’s even said as much.
Personally, I feel that Facebook should be a more private platform where friends and family, you know…people you actually know and/or know you, get to communicate, catch up and share each other’s life stories, updates, etc., but it’s not that, it’s a public platform where potential employers, clients and colleagues can see exactly what’s on your mind, or those associated with you.
With that said, you should tread carefully.
The fact that Facebook is setup the way it is, is an argument FOR Google+ where you have more control of who gets to see what, based more on reality, but Facebook is where it’s at right now so people have to contend with it. Social media is here to stay and will only get worse/better, depending on your POV, so we all, as individuals, better start to learn to use it wisely.
This was a grown woman…an adult carrying on like that online, imagine how the kids are. And there is a problem with kids and social media as it is already, particularly if you ask parents, teachers and/or churches.
I predict Social Media 101 in high schools or grade schools in the near future. At least I hope they do.
“There is nothing wrong with expressing your opinion, but if you do, you better be ready for the fallout.” ~Mandy Edwards~
People can lose friends as well. I shut my Facebook down in August of 2012 with 570 or so friends on board. It was a good run for several years, I had managed to reunite with almost everyone in my class, only to wish I had never done it. My memories of classmates and school buddies from 1986 were perfect in my mind, and I missed them all. 2 weeks of reading their facebook posts changed everything. I think the experience has changed my desire to attend a class reunion. I wished all of my Facebook friends well, and made sure they knew I loved them like play cousins, but it was time for me to go. I had been way too friendy, friending all friends who tapped my shoulder (Mistake #1) There were too many political rants, and I wasn’t disciplined enough to stay out of them. I would often fall for the bait, and throw my stupid facebook hat into the ring. I was part of the problem, and I needed to put myself in time out.
I’ve been without a Facebook for almost 2 years now, and was able to start over in Google+. On my page, you will only find fishing, camping, dogs, and all things non-political. I love my communities around the world in G+, and my ability to carefully manage it. I have one for personal, and a professional G+ site for Waitrainer.com. I used to be great friends with this lady who owns a community garden. I had grown up with her son in high school. I’d known her for 20 years without having to do political battle with her, and facebook changed that forever. Totally not worth it.
If only everyone understood the things you wrote in this blog, Mandy. 😉 I’d like to see your MySpace page to see if you were always this disciplined in social media. lol Great blog-
James
Hi James! Thank you for sharing your story! I wouldn’t be on Facebook if it wasn’t for my business. I’ve learned to filter what I keep up with through Facebook’s Interest Lists. It makes my life easier 🙂
I LOVE Google Plus – I will have to find you on there if we aren’t connected already. When people ask me about it, I honestly tell them it’s Facebook without the drama.
You can find me on MySpace, but it’s just a picture of me – I was never really able to get into that one, LOL!
I truly appreciate your comment on this post!