It might be time to change that old adage, "Think before you speak," to: "Think before you tweet."
Social media has become a mecca of foolish behavior and idiotic opinions. Take Marisa Martin, for instance, a University of Alabama student and ESPNU Campus Connection reporter (for now). Following a shooting Nov. 19 on the Florida State University campus, she thought it would be a brilliant idea to hop on Twitter and tweet "Reported gunman on the FSU campus. Maybe he is heading for [FSU quarterback] Jameis [Winston]." Classy. Very classy.
The following week, GOP aide Elizabeth Lauten, the communications director for Rep. Stephen Fincher, took inappropriate to another level. After watching Sasha and Malia Obama display typical teenage mannerisms during the annual White House turkey pardoning ceremony, Lauten took it upon herself to pull up Facebook and vent about their demeanor in a ridiculous post. It's one thing to have an issue with President Obama; it's another thing entirely to attack his daughters for no good reason.
One thing I'm sure both Martin and Lauten didn't expect was the backlash that followed. Martin was forced to delete her Twitter account, CLAIMING the tweet was the result of hacking. And Ms. Goody Two Shoes Lauten has since resigned from her coveted position. As these ladies and so many more have learned from speaking-well, posting-before thinking, you can't take it back once you press "send." Delete can't save you. There's always that one person who will instantly grab a screenshot for future reference, which will spread like wildfire. Just ask Chris Brown and Floyd Mayweather-just a few notables to experience the unfortunate effects of the almighty screengrab.
Although social media can be great for catching up with old friends, keeping in touch with family or even getting off a few harmless jokes, it also can be your worst enemy-especially if you someday become famous. How about the new celebs, like Iggy Azalea, who once upon a time sat around tweeting just like the rest of us? Little did she know, people (with a LOT of time on their hands) would pull up her seemingly-racist old tweets and harass her about them. Some employers still scan your Facebook, Twitter and other social media accounts during the hiring process. I'm sure you're rethinking those racy pics and posts now, huh?
The moral of the story is simple: Use your brain. Not doing so can make you look like a total idiot, and even potentially cost you your job. If you just absolutely need to vent your feelings, buy a journal. Or better yet, phone a friend. Whatever you do, just stay far, FAR, away from the keyboard when there's any doubt in your mind about what you're about to post.
In those times, social media is not your friend. If it can come back to haunt you, it's smart to reconsider. I'm sure Martin and Lauten sure wish they had.
Lela Olds is a RedEye special contributor.
