It is ethical for colleges, parents, or employers to search social networking sites for information about people?

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22 Contributors
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Yes
73% of users

  • I believe it is ethical to check social networking sites to find information on individuals, because the information is public.

    I think employers, parents, and colleges should be able to check social networking sites. They can give pertinent information about someone, and it could help the person to find out what kind of person they are dealing with. Nothing on the Internet is private and, if someone is willing to post negative information, the information is out in the open, with the possibility of being used against them.

    Yes FemaleTyron73

  • I agree that it's ethical for parents, teachers and employers to search social networking sites for information about people, because the sites are public.

    Social networking sites have settings where a user can set his information to "private", if he feels there are things about him he doesn't want known to just anyone. Therefore, if he chooses to allow the world at large to view material he posts to such a site, then he must accept that said material could be used to judge him, however unfairly that may be. While it isn't unethical to obtain knowledge about a potential student, employee or friend by reading his public profile, it is unethical to make judgements about that person based on the things they post in their spare time for fun.

    Yes N3vinFace

  • I think that it is ethical because, if the information is put out there by the individual being investigated, then they should allow people to hold it against them.

    I believe that, if a person wants people to not know something about themselves, then they should not post it on a website that allows people to see it. The Miranda Rights do apply to the web and, in this case, anything you say or post can be used against you. In my opinion, this behavior by colleges, parents or employers is not only ethical, but highly recommended. If you want to know whether your daughter's new boyfriend is a decent fellow, check his profile. If you want to find out if your employee is committing unethical behavior against the company, check his profile.

    Yes PuzzledCharles70

  • Social networking is an ethical way of researching a person's personality and or character.

    Social networking sites, like Facebook, Twitter or Myspace, provide an avenue to organizations to gather personality information on potential employees or applicants that standard applications or resumes don't reveal. It is ethical to use these sites because, once someone has posted information on these sites, it becomes public domain and, thus, is available for anyone to use.

    Yes ZealousBoyd99

  • It is ethical for people to search these sites, because people are choosing to put information out there.

    While it might seem creepy that various people are possibly searching for information about you, it is important to keep in mind that you chose to put yourself out there on the Internet. Facebook, Twitter, and the many other social networking venues have privacy restrictions, but it is your job to make sure that your privacy is protected to the extent that you want it to be. If you did not take the initiative to protect yourself, then you should not complain when your potential employer finds your personal information.

    Yes Random72003

  • Everybody has the right to try to gain information.

    There is nothing wrong with trying to gain information about anybody. Any time I go to see a new doctor I always look for them on the internet and try to find information about them. No one wants to go to a doctor who has bad things posted about him. This is the same with lawyers and any other person. If we have the technology to gain valuable information about people, then I am all for it.

    Yes SlipArnal

  • Yes, it is ethical for employers, colleges and parents to search for information because the people have chosen to make this information about themselves publicly available.

    If a person does not want their information to be publicly available, they can eliminate their profile from social networking sites. Companies, colleges and parents have always tried to collect information about "applicants" through references. It would be good to have a system where students or potential employees could "opt out" of employers' searching their social network profiles, in the same way that students now "opt out" of the right to review recommendations written on their behalf.

    Yes Romeo

  • It is ethical for colleges, parents, and employers to search social networking sites because the information is public.

    Trying to determine the personality of a person is difficult when evaluating their fit for an organization, and a social networking site is a useful way to get information about the person in question. Since the information is public, it should be ethical to use.

    Yes IeonBauer

  • I feel it is ethical to use social networking sites to find out about people because a person's participation is voluntary.

    When a person chooses to join a social networking site they should understand that some of the information they are providing, as well as their conduct on the site, is going to be openly available to others. In many ways the site is the same as a public venue, you don't have a right to restrict how others use the venue. Because of the public nature of the site, there is nothing wrong with using the site to gather information about a person.

    Yes KellyAnnon

  • It is ethical to search, but be careful of how such information is used

    It is now routine to "Google oneself" to find out what the Internet has on yourself. So, too, do others search for information about others through the Internet. Social networking sites, blogs, public papers written are all public knowledge. And because memory is cheap, this information is available in original form years after it was typed or posted. It can provide insight into one's beliefs, habits, preferences and relationships. The downside is the use of this information against others inappropriately. For example, one person may hack another's account and pose as them or simply log into an unguarded computer and send horrific messages to the friends while pretending to be another. Then there is the legal risk of employers and colleges deciding not to admit or hire an individual based upon their social profile, when the names and ages match - and the less than ideal candidate in the social profile is not the same person as the applicant. It also creates a risk of employers and bosses screening people based on religious affiliation and politics, something they could not do in an interview. Thus it can be an acceptable filter to check for drug use or laziness, but it cannot be the only discriminating factor or used to illegal discriminate. For parents, though, viewing your child's social networking page is not only ethical but obligatory. If parents can be billed for their child driving drunk or their arrest for vandalism, they have the right to check their child's profile for pictures of such illegal activity.

    Yes Pir4And

  • Yes it is ethical for colleges, parents or employers to search social networking sites for information about people because there are so many "creeps" out there and anything that can be used to verify a person, and their accuracy can and should be used.

    Parents need to keep their children safe under any circumstances. Colleges want to prevent any problems with students in their school. Employers want the best possible employees working for them and their company. Naturally all the information on the internet cannot be relied on, but at least it is a place to start to verify information.

    Yes BMaritza

  • Yes, it is not a violation of privacy to search for someone's social network site because by creating such a site the person voluntarily put their private information in a public place.

    Social networking sites are public places where a person can voluntarily post private data about themselves. Anyone who uses a social network site should realize that they have voluntarily waived their right to privacy with regards to anything that they have posted on the internet that is not posted on a secure encrypted private website.

    Yes Wynn354

  • I believe it is ethical for colleges, parents or employers to search social networking sites for information about people.

    When someone chooses to create a social networking site they sign an agreement stating that they are aware that any information they publish is in the public domain. This means that it is the responsibility of the person to ensure that they don't include details that may damage their reputation or ruin their chances of being employed.

    Yes J Navarro 62

  • Social networking sites are public sites.

    Anyone who uses a social networking site needs to realize that it is a public area. Anything on that site can be seen by anyone. Since they choose to use the sites, they need to be aware that their profiles are not confidential. If they are going to use the site, they need to be aware of the possible consequences. The site will not only be seen by their friends, but by anyone who looks them up. There are security features in place that could assure individuals privacy within the sites.

    Yes VasilBuddy

  • If the information is displayed publically, than colleges, parents, and employers have the right to know.

    A lot can be said about a person by the stuff they put on their online profiles. It is not in the best interest of an employer to hide someone that is open about their recreational use of illegal drugs. If the information is public and the people looking don't have to do anything illegal to get it (such as hacking into the profile), then it is information that can be used by anyone.

    Yes 54ndDavi

  • Sure it is ethical, it is public knowledge.

    I feel that if you create a public account for every one to see on the internet, you should expect anyone to see it. This will include prospective employers. Parents definitely have a right to see what their minor children are posting. Colleges should also know who they are admitting on to their campus.

    Yes BriaBlacken
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No
27% of users

  • I think that parents, employers, and colleges should not be permitted to invade a person's privacy.

    I disagree with this statement, because social media is the fastest growing form of communication out there. Everyone is on Facebook, Twitter, or both. Parents, colleges, and employers should not be allowed to enter someone's personal site because, plain and simple, it is an invasion of privacy, and doing that pushes a lot of boundaries.

    No BoundlessHomer49

  • No, because, in two out of the three cases, I say it is none of the colleges' or employers' business what the students or employees are doing away from campus or work.

    When applying for a job or a college, your personal interest and activities should have no effect on whether you get accepted or hired. You should be entitled to your own life outside of work and school. We are entitled to our privacy. For parents, that is a bit more personal, and I would say that there should be an age limit as to when it is acceptable and unacceptable for your parents to be snooping on what you're doing in your own free time.

    No BurtHero

  • It is not ethical for college, parents or employers to search social networking sites for information about people because everyone has a right to privacy.

    It's not ethical for college, parents or employers to search social networking sites for information about people because many people need privacy, which is protected by law. It says in the constitution if information is publicly shown, it is public and can be accessed by everyone, but if it's made private no one should be able to see or collect this information as it's illegal. \protect this information.

    No TownDonald

  • No, I think that crosses a line, and even though it's public, it's personal.

    Parents, potential employers, and schools shouldn't look up people on social networking sites like facebook or myspace. Even if a person's information is viewable to the public, it is of a personal nature and they are liable to use questionable language that might be offensive to some. It's unethical to intrude there and more or less, spy on a person. This is a different side of their life than that which they present to work or school or to a parent. It?s a way to express their individuality but it could easily be taken out of context.

    No PinkMych

  • It is not ethical for colleges, parents, or employees to search social networking sites, because people deserve the right to privacy and many social networking sites don't justify who people really are.

    I do not think that it is ethical for colleges, parents, or employers to search into social networking sites, such as face book, MySpace, and twitter to find out about people. People deserve the right to privacy. Many people will continue to search people out, but if a person makes judgments towards a person based on these sites, then they are terribly out of line. Many times people have false ideas, or jokes, or other characteristics that they may exhibit on social networking sites to portray themselves as something they may or may not be. Until you know someone personally, then I don't think you can make judgments on anyone.

    No taihenraion

  • I oppose companies searching networking sites for information about people.

    I do not think it is appropriate for employers and colleges to search for information on people on social networking sites. I believe that your social networking profile is your private information. It should only be shared with the owner and the people invited to view it. I believe it is an invasion of property.

    No barbiegirll
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It is ethical for colleges, parents, or employers to search social networking sites for information about people?
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