Dolphin Talent’s Acting + Industry Guide

Facebook, Myspace, imeem, and Linkedin are all social networks that have the best of intentions. Their intention is to connect people, keep them updated on each other’s lives, and provide a way to communicate via the Internet. However, there is a dark side to these social networks as well, too much information about their users is available to the general public. Over the past few years, many teachers, professors, professionals, etc have talked about the ability of a future employer to use social networks to find out more about the person they are about to interview, and depending on what you, your friends, or the kid who lives down the street, post linked to your name, a stigma will be created for you. The same goes for the acting world.

You may think things on your profile are harmless, but others may not. Pictures that were fun photos from Halloween may or may not be appropriate for a future employer or casting director to see (or even your mother to see for that matter). And then think about the random people who you don’t even think would be checking your profile and what they can learn as well. At the end of the day, social networks are a slippery slope.

How can you take control of the information age? Two words: privacy settings. Privacy settings are a glorious thing; they give YOU the power to control the information that is being disseminated about you. This is important with pictures, contact information, as well as personal information. In addition, it’s not just what you post about yourself but what others post about you. We’ve all seen young stars make the news for photos reporters have found via friends of the star.

What’s the lesson here? Think before you post. Think about what you are posting, or what others are posting about you, and if you’d be embarrassed if your parents, or grandmother saw it, think of how embarrassed you’ll be when a reporter or your boss finds it.

-Megan