Australia is rolling out a national rule that blocks under-16s from using mainstream social platforms starting in December, called the Online Safety Amendment Bill & targeting the Online Safety Act, legislated in 2021. The law passed in November 2024 and is being watched globally, with leaders in New York praising Australia’s approach during UN events, […]

Understanding the definitions of slang, abbreviations, and emojis mean on social media. Keeping kids safe online, while respecting their autonomy is a difficult task. Part of this difficulty comes from how quickly social media slang tends to evolve. A single emoji can have wildly different meaning depending on who is using it, where they’re using […]

First Impressions Are Made Online Before an employer invites you to interview, there is a very good chance they will check your online presence. In many cases, the first thing they will see is not your résumé, it is your public social media profiles. A single old post, questionable comment, unprofessional photo or even likes […]

If you wanted to design the perfect identity-theft jackpot, you would build a single file that stores names, SSNs, dates of birth, citizenship, parent names, and more. That file exists inside the Social Security Administration. It is called NUMIDENT. A whistleblower says DOGE-affiliated officials created a cloud copy of it with weaker protections than normal, […]

Definition of Social Media Footprint A social media footprint is the sum of all the activity, content, and data linked to your presence on social platforms. Every comment, like, share, video upload, private message, profile update, and even your connections contribute to this footprint. Some of it is public and easy for others to find. […]

Background checks used to be about verifying your criminal history, employment records, or education. But now, even the smallest pieces of your online activity are being put under the microscope. A recent post on r/privacy shows just how invasive this has become. The Reddit user explained that Sterling, a major background check company, scanned their […]

Why your digital footprint matters more than ever Every post, like, comment, and old profile leaves a trail. That trail can affect job offers, college admissions, relationships, and even your safety. Reducing your online presence is not about hiding. It is about protecting your privacy and controlling your digital story. People often think the internet […]

Why your social media matters to colleges You’ve studied for the SAT, written the perfect essay, and lined up strong recommendation letters. But what about your Facebook posts from two years ago? Or that tweet you made without thinking? Colleges are not just looking at grades. They are also looking at character. And increasingly, they […]

Why your social media is part of your brand You are already being Googled. Whether you are job hunting, pitching clients, or networking with peers, your name is probably being searched. And what shows up first? Often, it is your social media profiles. Recruiters, hiring managers, and potential collaborators are all making quick judgments based […]