Stiff consequences result from social network users exercising their freedom of speech.

Christine Pepin
Media Coordinator

So, we all keep talking about the social networks and their evolution.  We’ve run the gamut from discussions on Twitter’s lack of a viable revenue model to its value as a marketing tool.  We’ve weeded through social network supporters, haters and skeptics.  It seems to me, though, that the majority of those knowledgeable in our space recognize more valuable marketing potential in the fastest growing networks, such as Twitter and Facebook, than not.

But, in my cloud of optimism and excitement about what these networks can promote from a marketer’s standpoint, I tend to forget about the consequences of free speech spreading as fast as it does in these mediums.  On top of the fact that with written word, there’s no debate on who said what; the proof is in the pudding.  “Delete” becomes trivial, as technology allows us a back button, or a web history or an automatic save function.  Then, they’ll be someone, somewhere having recorded and saved an offense before we even realize our mistake. 

I found myself with wide-eyes this morning reading an ABC news article, as I was reminded of the consequences of social network users freely voicing their opinions.  From an apartment renter to a Congressman to Al Roker, I quickly learned that our uncensored expressions can lead to fines, unemployment or a bruised reputation.  Being mindful of the repercussions of what we post online is very important.  I’ll recap a few from the article that were interesting; maybe we can learn from their mistakes:

-  A Chicago tenant faces a $50,000 lawsuit by the Horizons Group Management where she used to reside by posting the following on Twitter: “Who said sleeping in a moldy apartment was bad for you? Horizon really thinks it’s okay." 

-  A New York City official resigns over controversial comments posted on Facebook in reference to President Obama’s opinions on the arrest of Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr.

-  Arizona man tweets about leaving for vacation and returns to find his house was robbed a few thousands of dollars in video equipment stolen.

-  Al Roker snaps pictures of potential yury members from jury duty and posts them to Twitter; a violation of court rules.

-  Top House Republican discloses details about travels to Iraq and Afganistan on Twitter; leaving the Pentagon to question its policy on classified information and security implications on social networks.

Perhaps these cases will spark us to think about the implications of what we post, both professionally and personally.