7 Legal Dangers of Social
Networking
Facebook, Twitter,
blogs, message boards and other social media websites and apps are great tools
to help you connect with friends and family. Businesses and professionals also
use social networking to connect with customers and coworkers. Many social
media users are unaware that the information they post online and the digital
trail they leave behind can be used against them in court. The following
information will help you understand the legal risks involved in social
networking.
- Attorney-Client Confidentiality – Attorney-client confidentiality protects all
communications between you and your attorney. This means the information
you communicate directly to your attorney cannot be used against you in
court. A breach of attorney-client privilege can seriously harm your case.
Talking about your legal matter online is a serious breach of
confidentiality.Do not discuss the details of your case with anyone
other than your attorney.
- Anonymity –
Posting comments to online forums, news outlets or blogs can give you the
impression of anonymity. There is no anonymity online; everything can be
traced back to its source. Before posting anything online consider the
very real possibility that it will be traced back to you.
- Children –
Child predators use social networking sites to find victims. Talk to your children about online safety. In addition, online bullying has grown rapidly in
recent years. It is important to talk to children about how to handle
being bullied, as well as the importance of reporting and not
participating in the bullying of other children.
- Family Law –
Facebook profiles and Twitter posts are being introduced as evidence more
and more frequently in divorce and child custody cases. No matter what
your intention when posting something online, consider how it could come
back to haunt you. The best advice is to take a break from Facebook or
other social media during a divorce or custody dispute.
- Criminal Law -
In addition to divorce court, the digital trail created through social
networking is becoming increasingly common in criminal cases. Discussing
illegal activity, even in jest, could land you in hot water.
- Human Resources –
Employers are increasingly turning to social media to learn more about
applicants. Applicants should be aware that their profiles and posts could
be used for this purpose. Employers must be careful not to unlawfully
discriminate based on age, gender, race, religious beliefs or sexual
orientation. Employees who disparage their employers or coworkers online
could even lose their job.
- Identity Theft –
Thieves and scammers often use social networking sites to gather personal
information on victims. You may think it is perfectly harmless to discuss
your birthday or post the address of your new home on Facebook or Twitter,
but that type of personal information can be used against you. Think
carefully about the information you post online.
SOURCE=LEGALSHIELD
Rick Meldahl at www.impactinglifestyles.com
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