With the article Government Agencies, Colleges demand applicants’ Facebook passwords, I was again reminded how we need to be aware of all our potential readers. This message I also need to make clear to one of our teenage kids who writes as if there is no tomorrow.

The article list several cases where government agencies and colleges demanded applicants Facebook passwords. Whether this is legal and/or constitutional is not for me to decide.

But please remind your children to use modesty when posting. One of the earliest memories of online posting, was when I asked one of the kids on what to reply to someone’s post. I even asked whether I had to reply and whether silence was considered rude. There were so many things to learn. And instead of getting the occasional sigh from them for my ignorance, I asked the internet. The best answer was: Write as if your mother were standing behind you and reading every word of it.

I thought that was excellent advice.

Not everyone adheres to this,  I have seen some vulgar language on Facebook.

Be careful with your words, you might just have to eat them someday. That is, if you have trouble getting a decent job, because of your Facebook Past.

Read the article: Government Agencies, Colleges demand applicants’ Facebook passwords.