All of the following reasons are important to consider when thinking about what you share online:
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The information you post is permanent, and deleting it does not remove it entirely from the internet.
Once something is posted online, there is a chance it can be archived or saved by others, making it difficult to completely remove. -
The information you post can be found and can affect your future education and career goals.
Employers and educational institutions frequently conduct online searches, and any negative or inappropriate content can impact their perceptions of you. -
People that search for you online create an opinion about who you are based on what you post.
Your online presence contributes to your personal brand, and others may form judgments based on the information you share. -
The information that you share can have legal implications (POPIA) if you do not have permission to share it.
Privacy laws, such as the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), can have serious consequences if personal information is shared without consent.
Overall, each of these points highlights the significance of being thoughtful and responsible about your online actions.