Pacific Index

Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: Opinion

Will these cool photos of me in college have lasting consequences?

Internet networking systems are a new craze. Members of Facebook and MySpace have opportunities to post quirky facts, promote bands and put a picture to your face for the world to see. But how do we keep our privacy?

While Internet stalking has been covered through news broadcasts, resulting in parents looking over the shoulders of their adolescents who have profiles, college students have more freedom. Or so it seems.

Just within the past year, Facebook users have been allowed to upload 60 photos per album and "tag" their friends.

Even if the picture is unflattering or incriminating, these photos still float in cyberspace ready to prove violation of conduct codes.

College campuses are somewhat synonymous with experimentation. And with the advancement in digital cameras, it seems there are constant flashes at parties, making them feel like celebrity club sightings and Facebook is the new Enquirer.

There is concrete evidence of celebrities in these magazines showing they are violating parole, and the same goes for underage drinking at parties.

It seems that social gathering with more than 10 students often are guaranteed to become publicly viewed because someone will be taking pictures for a college scrapbook. Why should this be public knowledge? Why bring a camera everywhere in case someone decides to do a beer bong?

While minors spotted in the background or foreground with a beer can be charged by federal law, college students of age can still be held accountable for binge drinking while at an officially sponsored university event.

Grad schools and employers can use Facebook against prospective applicants. While college students can plea the phase of experimentation, the real world will only accept professionals.

As students, we are obligated to represent our university. Facebook has made it nearly impossible to go anywhere where we can hide and not worry about consequences.

We also are obligated to keep possession over our private lives. Think about your reputation next time someone wants you to do a keg stand for a photograph.

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