I had an encounter with my roommate the other day where she posted a picture of me on VSCO that I really didn't want to be put anywhere. My Mom had expressed to me that I need to portray myself in a more positive light than the photo displayed. While the photo would probably be considered mainstream and "not that bad", my mom was right and I wanted it taken down.

I don't want a picture of me in a bikini accessible to anyone with a computer. Now I'm sure some of you are thinking, "Wait what?" "She just put it on her VSCO" I would like to share some shocking news.

VSCO is a public link.

Now saddened by this news, some of you should take this information and open that app right now. Everyone talks about how social media can be so bad for you and your future chances at a career. VSCO is no acceptation. I see people put such risqué photos of themselves and I can't help but wonder if girls realize what they're putting out there. I want to make it clear, I am not a prude. It's not that everyone needs to cover up and never use VSCO again.

This is just a gentle reminder that VSCO is public.

However, it isn't just about what you post. It's also about what you repost. I know girls think they're being trendy when they post their favorite celebrity holding up their middle finger or some sad love quote that looks like it's straight out of a 2014 grunge Tumblr but to be honest, everyone can see that and that is now under your name.

Now, I'm really guilty of this too and after this incident, I have really taken a second to look at what I choose to post. That's another sad thing, that it's not always about what you post.

My friend posted that picture of me and thankfully, she deleted it but VSCO still has that image. It's just disappointing that since it wasn't even my choice, my image is still jeopardized.

Going forward, I hope some can learn from what I'm saying. I know that in my future years, I want to be viewed as a respectable woman, both online and in person. That starts with my social media accounts. While this is a problem with all social media platforms, I think that many people forget to change their privacy settings on VSCO.

Everyone's definition of respectable is different and that's what so great about social media. You get to portray yourself in whatever way you choose. Just make sure that you don't ruin your future opportunities because a dumb photo you put up of yourself. That could range from a scandalous picture of you to a picture of you and your friends drinking underage.

Basically what I'm saying is, don't let your posts get you in trouble because it has lasting consequences for you and whoever else you post pictures of.