The power of Social Media expands out past political leaders, celebrities, and stalking the old high school crew. Each year, millions of people are denied career opportunities and other employment situations because of his or her social media appearance. The power of social media can, and will, make or break you.

Remember that gross selfie you took in seventh grade with your tongue sticking out? Well, everyone on God’s green earth can see that photo, even though you are now a college junior seeking a dream internship. That photo that was taken eight years ago, and it is haunting you forever. It's the same for that Instagram post you have with that Beer Bong you got to celebrate your bestie’s 21^st birthday. All of these posts and photos follow you forever.

Remember those 1990s and early 2000s television cartoons, like Rugrats and Rocket Power, where people were terrified of their “permanent record?" Those cartoons were correct. No, there is not a database controlled by the Government full of every single thing that you have ever done. But there is the internet. It take just seconds to search someone and get his or her life story.

The internet is your permanent record, and you can have the power of what you put on it.

The keys to social media success:

1. Never send nude photos to ANYONE, even on auto-deleting apps.
2. NEVER put controversial posts or images of yourself online. Avoid nude photos, photos of you with drugs, and posts touching on other such controversial topics.
3. Use the old adage--what would your mother or grandmother think of that post or photo?
4. In the digital age, it’s so simple to upload a photo and have your entire life flipped upside down. Always remember that.