Freedom of speech, that is.
Recently, I have been reminded that everything that I do on AND offline will affect me in the future; positively and negatively. I'm eighteen years old now, and I feel like I should be making at least 75k by now, I should have my own condo and a decent car. I am fully aware that these things are very unrealistic for a person my age, but that's what happens when I give myself high expectations for where I should be. If I give myself these almost impossible aspirations, why wouldn't anyone else; a potential employer or even my own mother?
People need to start realizing that everything they put online is a little story about who they are as a person. Think of your internet history as a resume, and think of what you do and say within those sites as an even more detailed and intrusive look into who you are. Would you be okay with your future boss for your dream job looking into what you've said and posted on your twitter, tumblr, instagram and facebook? If you cannot answer this question right away, there should be a serious re-evulation with how you conduct yourself on the Internet.
The Internet is a public domain. If you wouldn't say, dress, or act the way you do on the internet...what makes you think that it's okay to do it online where billions of potentional people can view your not-so-nice online activity. With so many employers turning to the web to scope out potential employees, it's always important to remember that what you say and do now as a young person can inhibit your success as an adult.
Due to the fear of your employers seeing what you do online, it really makes me wonder if freedom of speech is a real thing anymore. Say what you want, but face a constant fear of being jobless until your 40? That's not okay with me. So does true freedom of speech really exist anywhere anymore?
I just want people to remember that you are your own hypeman and spokesperson! Give yourself an awesome rep and do your best to maintain that reputation. Do the best for yourself.