Make Myspace Private and Protect Your Future

Do you use Myspace? I’m guessing that a majority of the readers of this site have used Myspace at one point or another. Creating a Myspace profile gives you an easy way to keep your friends updated on what is happening in your life. Facts about yourself and personal pics can all be uploaded for others to see. Embarrassing comments left by your friends about a funny pic you have posted or the drunken pole dance you did the night before may also be part of your page. Although Myspace can be addicting and a fun way to interact with your friends, it could be costly to your future.

Myspace is no longer just a place for your friends to find info on you. A growing trend is taking place by potential employers and current employers to find out more about their applicants and current employees. Although the pictures and comments found on your page may be fun and cute for your friends, this is probably not the case for your current or future employer. It would be a shame for you to go through all these years of schooling and training and then be denied your dream job due to a couple of beer bong photos you or your friend took one night out having a good time. There have been numerous stories in the news lately of people losing their jobs due to content on their Myspace page. Also Human Resource departments are doing a Google search of your name when receiving your resume. Often times that Google search will lead to your Myspace page or other social networking sites you may be a part of such as Facebook.

How can you protect yourself? Make your profile private! I highly recommend that you make your profile private on any social networking site you use. By making your profile private, only “friends” you have added will be allowed to see your page. This will not only prevent future and current employers from seeing your page (assuming they are not one of your friends), but will also prevent strangers from viewing it as well. There are some “interesting” people surfing the net and it is in your best interest to keep your personal information private.

How to make your profile private

1. Log in to www.myspace.com
2. Click on “Account Settings”
3. Click on the “Privacy” tab
4. Select “My friends only” in the “Profile Viewable By:” section
5. Click the “Save All Changes” button