This archive report was first published on 26 July 2019.
Justine Sacco, a former PR executive, learned this lesson the hard way in 2013. Before boarding a plane from New York to South Africa, she tweeted: “Going to Africa. Hope I don’t get AIDS. Just kidding. I’m white!” The tweet sparked a vicious storm on Twitter, and she was fired by her boss when she landed in Cape Town.
But Justine was not alone. Many young people have fallen victim to their own online posts, which have come back to haunt them in unexpected ways. In 2011, 11-year-old Kjell Scherpen, a Netherlands goalkeeper, made some abrasive comments about his future club Ajax Amsterdam. He was forced to apologize and write hundreds of lines praising the club before signing his contract.
These stories highlight the importance of being mindful of what we post online. With the rise of social media, it's easier than ever to share our thoughts and opinions, but it's also created a permanent record of our actions and words. This can have serious consequences, especially when it comes to job hunting and professional reputation.
Four young people share their experiences and insights on the dangers of online reputation. Peter Kiongo, a student at the Technical University of Kenya, believes that employers should not judge people by what they say online. He thinks that opinions expressed five years ago may not reflect a person's current views.
June Mwololo, a student at Strathmore University, is more cautious. She limits her online interaction to exchanging pleasantries with friends and colleagues and keeping tabs on new developments in specific areas of interest. She believes that what people say online can mirror their personalities and that it's essential to be mindful of what we post.
Sharon Ochola, a student at Multimedia University, is very active on social media. She has accounts on Twitter, Instagram, and WhatsApp, but she tries to spend less time on social media to avoid getting carried away and speaking her mind. She believes that online platforms offer users a sense of freedom, but it's essential to be responsible and think before posting.
As these stories show, what we post online can have serious consequences. It's essential to be mindful of our online reputation and think before posting. With the rise of social media, it's more crucial than ever to be responsible and respectful in our online interactions.
