Privacy settings do not guarantee complete safety and not being online can be even more harmful to you, as social networks play an important role in society today. While memes and self-tuning are unlikely to harm your child, it is even better to treat social media as an online wallet. And if you can build a strong social media presence yourself, your child is likely to be impressed and ask for inspiration for your contributions. The media can have a big impact on your child’s educational and professional goals. It is therefore very important that you, as a parent, teach your child to manage “his” or “her” reputation on the Internet. 57% of employers admitted in a 2018 survey that they found content on social networks that led them not to hire someone. Because social networks are an important part of today’s society, finding candidates online for all age groups is no longer considered taboo. In 2013, 33% of admissions officers admitted to consulting candidates’ social networks, and this figure is likely to be much higher now. It can even be noticed by one out of 37% of employers who admitted to employ a candidate simply because of their presence on social networks. Informal conversations about what to do and what not to do on social media can be very beneficial for your child. 29% admitted looking for a candidate on Google and 33% admitted visiting a candidate’s social media sites, and these numbers are expected to be much higher in 2020. While anyone with a media account should think about what future employers might find, children under 16 may not yet understand the importance of this approach. A good general rule to teach your child is that if you don’t want to be on a poster that the whole city can see, you shouldn’t put it on the internet. You can set a positive example with the things you put on the internet and explain to your child that you would never post anything that you didn’t want “him” or other family members to see. In fact, 47% of employers said they would be less likely to interview a candidate if they didn’t have an online presence, and 20% said they expect all candidates to have some kind of online presence. While 70% of employers often use social networks to find out more about potential candidates by 2018, 20% said they expect all candidates to be present online. Although teenagers have been known for their rebellious behavior for generations, this online behavior can still manifest years later when they apply to college or are looking for their first job.