What's the point of having Facebook, Twitter, and other accounts?

[Terry E]

Let me expand my question: Since potential, and current, employers are actively searching out people on these social networks to see what people do when not at work, what's the point of putting up silly, goofy, funny, and embarrassing photos of one's self if you're going to be penalized for it? I am on the side of liberal freedom here so just because folks put up those type of photos of themselves, why should recruiters, HR, and senior employers really care what folks do when not at work? I know the argument: company image to potential clients, company reputation as measured against competition, "unprofessional" (remember, you're not at work) behaviour, not right for the company, judgement in question, perhaps not "mature" enough for promotion, etc.

In America, are people allowed to have fun and be silly while maintaining a job/career? Or does every employee have to be a robot, much like the citizens were in "1984" where displaying emotion was against the good of the nation. I know there is an on/off switch one needs while at work and not at work, but why should these folks suffer penalties just for posting the funner side of their lives??
Your thoughts?

[Powow]

I agree, what you do in your spare time i.e. putting up silly pics on Facebook, is up to you and has nothing to do with work. Maybe any mention of where you work shouldn't be mentioned on Facebook that should cover you from any links to work.

[whatevs]

It is simple. Adjust privacy settings so that only people added as friends can see your profile, moniter who you add (if you ask yourself "who the hell is this" don't add them), and don't say dumb shit. Your boss isn't going to be offended if you don't add them on facebook, and likewise do not insult them on facebook. It is nothing like 1984, because if you are smart enough then it is only your friends on there.

[seniorsuperfly]

First off you gotta relize why are these dumb people adding their bosses and companies on social networking sites. or if there searching these people up thats just time they culd have spent actually doing something productive for the company. most of the people getting fired because of expressing their feelings about their job on sites, are not smart people. i'm sure these companies however they goin about checking these sites have told their workers they are going to check the. i just think the whole process of actually looking at worker's PERSONAL sites is dumb and invades peoples privacy.

[lulu♥]

Yeah, it doesn't make sense to me either. I just use those sites to add close friends and family and make my page private.

[destructo]

so the government can openly spy on its citizrens