Think Before You Snap: Sharing Party Pictures
At Encounter Youth, we know that the majority of young people go out, celebrate with their mates, make great choices and have some awesome party pictures to remember it by. However, during a Party Safe Education seminar, we were speaking to a class of year 12s and we asked the question: “How would you support someone who has had too much to drink?”. One student’s response was: “Well firstly you’d take a photo and snapchat, then you’d help them out”. Although this student’s response got a laugh from his classmates at the time, we then discussed the need to take responsibility for posting those party pictures and the long-term effects. However, it did make me think about what young people post on snapchat and other social media.
Sharing party pictures on social media
Social media is a fantastic invention. It allows people to stay in touch and share memories and ideas with friends and family. However, the party pictures taken and posted on social media can last a lifetime. Even a single photo, posted without thinking, can reflect on a person’s identity for the rest of their lives. So what are our tips for those of you who like to celebrate and have those memorable party pictures to share?
1. Check your privacy settings
Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook all have helpful privacy and safety tips to make sure you are happy with who can see the party pictures and other posts that you share.
2. Regularly screen your photo albums
Get someone who has is savvy about how to present a professional profile to have a look at your social media. Get them to share their thoughts of what they think of the party pictures you have posted and how they may be viewed by a current or future employer.
3. Think before you snap and share – even with Snapchat
There are many truths and myths that float around about Snapchat, especially when it comes to things like party pictures. However, even their privacy policy states that someone “…can always save [photos] using any number of techniques…or find them in a device’s temporary storage”.
These few precautions can help you be proud of the party pictures you post online and be comfortable with who has access to them.
