Social Media Check
In 2021, over 4.2 billion individuals worldwide engaged in social media. This duration seems to have increased during and after the pandemic, possibly influenced by the rise in remote work post COVID pandemic.
A multitude of social media platforms are currently widely used. The most popular platforms, ranked by Monthly Active Users (MAU), include:
- Facebook: 2.9 billion
- YouTube: 2.2 billion
- Instagram & WhatsApp: 2 billion
- TikTok: 1 billion
- Snapchat: 538 million
- Pinterest: 444 million
- Reddit: 430 million
- LinkedIn: 250 million
- Twitter: 217 million
Considering the substantial time users invest in social media, it is understandable that businesses might be inclined to conduct a social media background check on potential employees. This scrutiny aims to identify any potential concerns or red flags that could impact their job applications.
What does a Social Media Background Check entail?
A Social Media Background Check involves a comprehensive review of an individual’s social media history, seeking out negative behaviors evident in posts, likes, or comments. This examination serves to provide employers with insights into the personality and character of potential employees. Negative behaviors encompass instances of bullying, racism, extremist religious or political views, excessive use of foul language, and more.
Beyond scrutinizing an individual’s personal social media accounts, a Social Media Background Check extends to exploring their affiliations with groups or associations. While someone may have an infrequent posting history with seemingly clean content, delving into their group memberships or frequent likes on pages associated with problematic content, such as supremacist or fundamentalist groups, can reveal additional factors that might influence a hiring decision.
Importance of Social Media Check
Social media screening is crucial for various reasons, including safeguarding business integrity and security. Hiring individuals affiliated with prohibited organizations or hate groups can harm a company’s reputation and expose it to potential legal issues, bribery, corruption, or fraud.
On a personal level, while prejudicial views might be concealed in interviews, they can be more evident in an individual’s social media posting history, potentially causing workplace disruptions or conflicts. Additionally, social media scrutiny can unveil whether someone has a track record of inappropriately sharing privileged information, safeguarding business integrity.
Even if a Social Media Background Check doesn’t uncover major red flags, it can still offer insights into whether a potential hire aligns with the company culture. However, it’s essential to consider potential drawbacks, such as the challenge of distinguishing between multiple profiles with similar names and the possibility of false positive matches. Moreover, the process is generally time-consuming, requiring significant work hours if conducted in-house.
