Navigating Social Media

October 7, 2025

Social media allows us to connect with others and express ourselves, but it also comes with risks. Everything you post, comment, or share can have a much longer digital footprint than you’d expect. For this reason, its important to stay up to date on how to protect your rights online.

What most people don’t realize, is that almost everything is protected under privacy and free expression laws. Each platform has their own specific rules, so its important understand when you’re no longer protected under free expression, and policy begins.

Knowing your rights online goes beyond social media. It also means to be aware of where, when, and how your information is used. Most apps and websites collect data on your user habits, and a quick read on their privacy settings will give you a general idea of how they function. With this you can also adjust them to your liking.

The easiest way to stay safe online is to think before posting anything, no matter how big or small you think it is. Remember, once you post something its always going to exist in somewhere, even if you delete it later on.

Posting About School or Teachers: Is It Protected Speech?

October 24, 2025

You might consider your posts online as personal, but schools sometimes treat them as their business. So where’s the line between free speech and school discipline? Staying informed about how your off-campus posts are viewed can help you feel safe expressing your opinions online without accidentally crossing into trouble.

Teenagers have free speech rights, but those rights aren’t exactly unlimited when it relates to school content. Posts that express opinions or concerns are usually protected under the First Amendment. However, when those posts cause disruptions, include threats, or targets individuals with harassment, schools may step in to enforce disciplinary action.

Schools must show a real correlation between the post and disruption at school. A post simply embarrassing for the school or a teacher is not enough. Knowing the difference between expressing criticism and crossing into harassment gives students the freedom to speak up while staying protected.

Can Colleges or Employers See Old Posts?

October 30, 2025

Remember… the internet never forgets. That can work for you, or against you. You might’ve forgotten about a post you made years ago, but colleges and employers often look at online activity when deciding your future. It’s important to keep your digital footprint and its effect on your future in mind at all times. Posting smarter today will protect your opportunities tomorrow!

Having posted something years ago doesn’t mean it’s gone. Colleges and employers often look over applicants’ digital footprints, which include public social media posts, usernames, and tagged content. Deleting a post doesn’t always erase it, especially when screenshots and shared copies can still exist.

While schools and employers can’t legally punish you for protected speech, they will likely consider it when making admissions or hiring decisions. Posts involving hate speech, threats, or illegal activity may raise red flags. What you share online today can affect opportunities tomorrow, so staying responsible about your digital footprint will protect you in real-life and online!