Social Media and The Careful Curation of Self

social media and identity

A recent New York Times article highlighted the lives of teen girls as they begin to build a curated social identity around Facebook and other networks. Social media may allow us to take control of the ways in which we want others to perceive us, though it doesn’t necessarily represent how we truly feel about ourselves, nor does it paint an accurate picture of the people in our lives. Is this dangerous, or a necessary way to assert our identity though social “decoration” – our updated baubles and painstakingly perfect selfies holding up the ideal version of our best selves on a good day?

Continue reading

[Net]working It, Part II: Using LinkedIn Effectively For Teens

LinkedIn For Teenagers

Part II of recent post, GIRL YOU BETTER [NET]WORK IT: TOP 10 TIPS TO GET AHEAD.

With over 175 million users, LinkedIn is certainly a resource you want to familiarize yourself with. Even for teens, LinkedIn is a powerful tool for establishing connections and maintaining professional relationships that may be of value in the future. Below are a few tips for getting started and building a strong network.

Continue reading

5 Tips for Keeping it Clean in an Era of Over-sharing

One time, at Band Camp...

One time, at Band Camp…

Constructing an on-line identity is powerful tool, both socially and- eventually- professionally. It’s hard to imagine when you open your first facebook or instagram account and post that amazing selfie (the light was perfect) that you are starting a life-long trail of personal images, thoughts and even emojis that will follow you into your 40’s and beyond. The internet is such a commonplace, every day tool for social interaction and research that it’s sometimes hard to fathom that it can also be used against you! Whether you plan to apply to college, a part time job, or to be the future President of the United States or Late Night talk show host, it’s critical to be aware of the persona you are putting out into the word via the web. You will see yourself again someday- frozen in time as a 15 year old. You’re pretty great, but you might not want your 1-D obsession following you to law school.

Continue reading