Social media is a great way to stay connected with people. It also has the potential to cause people a lot of problems when not used carefully.
Regardless of the “privacy” settings you are using, you should assume that everything you post online has the potential to be seen by anyone in the world, and will never be erased. You should assume that everyone you know, including your boss, and even future potential employers will become aware of every post you have made on social media.
Social media can also cause a lot of headaches for attorneys when their clients choose to publicly comment about their legal matters, or post things on social media that could be perceived as detrimental to that person’s case. Increasingly, courts are allowing opposing attorneys to access social media accounts of individuals involved in lawsuits, and the contents of those accounts can even be used against those individuals at trial.
I encourage my personal injury clients to be very cautious about what they post on social media, particularly when it comes to posting any details that could relate in any way to their personal injury claim. Social media posts can be misinterpreted and misconstrued, and can even be unfairly used against them in a legal proceeding.
In conclusion, enjoy social media, but use discretion and common sense about what you post online.
