When it comes to Facebook and Twitter, I consider myself to be somewhat of a pro. I had a Facebook account when only college students were privie to such an honor. I’ve gotten people to sign up on Facebook and Twitter, and even though I’m still trying to convince my mom to sign up on Facebook, my dad now has his own account. Like everyone else, I’ve had “Facebook drama” where you get wrapped up in an argument through someone’s status, or you see an ex’s latest pictures with their new partner. I’ve heard stories of all that.
But Facebook has also done a lot of good. I’ve found a lot of long-lost friends through Facebook and Twitter, but most importantly I’ve been able to stay in touch with family members who live far away. I’ve got an aunt in California, my best friend and sister Jenny who lives in Colorado and will soon be moving to Hawaii (military husband), and my brother’s girlfriend, Lauren, who lives in Oklahoma. One of my best friends from college lives in Nashville, Tenn. because her boyfriend plays for the Tennessee Titans. She said that when a guy gets put on the Titans’ roster, they have a class on how to conduct themselves on Facebook and Twitter. I thought that was odd because these are grown men, but then I’ve seen some of the things grown athletes have put on especially Twitter. Deion Sanders recently posted pictures of his kids filling out a police report against their mom. He needs some Twitter 101 lessons. Since I became my dad’s “right-hand man” as he calls me, at the Slidell Independent, I’ve become friends with a lot of the guys and girls I cover in high school sports. I feel like I’m in the loop with these youngsters who are now at least 10 years younger than me. (When did I get so old?) But being the “ahem” old, wise person that I am, I wanted to offer a little advice. If you plan on playing a college sport, make sure you’re very careful what you post on these social media sites. College coaches and their “spies” are everywhere. They might send you a friend request or follow you just to see what kind of person you “really” are. While I am confident, all of you have nothing to worry about, try to avoid topics like why you wouldn’t want to be involved in team events or why you think baseball players should be allowed to take steroids. I’m not the only one with warnings. Joe Burns, the co-founder of the RisingSeniors.com high school all-star game, has even gone as far to have a 90-minute educational seminar for last season’s football participants.
Burns said this in a recent interview: “If they’re talking crazy, we’re not going to let them be in our game because we care more about their image than they do. We’re trying to take a stand and get certain kids to be leaders and be more respectful … I think it’s disrespectful how some of these kids talk, and I can’t believe their parents aren’t jacking them up.” Those are some serious words from someone who knows. Recently, Duluth High School coach Corey Jarvis said one of his former players was recently kicked off a college team for explicit comments on his social media account. He’s one of many that this has recently happened to. Of course I’m all for free speech, and that means any high school or college kid can say what he or she wants, but that also gives every coach a right to decide whether or not he wants you representing his brand, team and school. So think twice before you post lyrics from Lucacris’ latest hit. It might be appropriate for your life at the time, but you might not want it to make a lasting impression.
(Chrissy Smith is Sports Editor of the Slidell Independent, and a former college athlete. She can be reached at chrissycsmith@gmail.com.)
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