Your Past. Everybody's Business?

9/29/2026

In September, a University of Utah controversy involving a student's social media photo led to online harassment and university investigations. The university subsequently dismissed cases against two students accused of involvement in doxxing. The incident raises questions about accountability, privacy, and how far online consequences should go.

Social media has a long memory. Something you post at 15 could resurface when you're 25, even if your beliefs, behavior, and understanding of the world have changed. Some believe people should always be held accountable for what they put online. Others argue that young people deserve room to make mistakes, mature, and move forward without their past following them forever.

People change as they grow, and the person someone was at 12 or 13 may be very different from who they become as an adult. Yet social media can preserve moments that no longer reflect a person's values, beliefs, or character. While accountability matters, the internet often documents mistakes without documenting the growth that follows. A single post can become a permanent part of someone's digital identity, regardless of how much they've changed.

Let's Write! Should something you posted on social media as a teenager be allowed to cost you a job, scholarship, or opportunity years later?

INSTRUCTIONS

1. INCLUDE: Last Name, First Initial, AND Class Block. You do not have to include an email address or a website.

2. Respond to the post. Read the entire post, including watching any videos or reading any articles attached. Do not post vague or ambiguous commentary. Your post should have depth, be thoughtful, and provide specific, meaningful insight. Make sure it addresses the topic and encourages reflection, discussion, or a connection.

3. You MUST comment on at least TWO other posts from any student in any class. Your replies cannot be identical comments on different posts and posting shallow comments such as "I agree" or "I disagree" will earn you a zero. Make sure your reply addresses the comment that you are responding to.

4. Language. Do NOT use profanity. Vague or repeated responses will not be accepted in your post or replies.

5. Disrespectful comments will not be accepted and will result in a zero whether you do the assignment or not.

REMINDERS

**Set a weekly alarm or calendar timer. Whatever you do to remember other important events, I'd do the same for this assignment.

**Don't wait until the last minute. Telling me that you didn't do the assignment on Friday because you broke your leg, for example, on Thursday will not do anything for you when you've had a week. Be responsible and accountable.

**How to post. Click in the top right hand corner or the lower left hand corner where it says Comments to access the discussion board. Once there, scroll to the bottom of the page to post a Reply. After, choose comments from at least two students from any class and Reply to what they wrote.

CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school, your family or your upbringing with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.

DISCLAIMER: If you do not respond AND comment on TWO others, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you do not write your name correctly, and I don't see your work, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you use profanity, you will not receive credit for the work. It's all or nothing.

WARNING: If you post even one second past midnight, your comment might appear to be posted, but as soon as it is opened to be graded, it will automatically delete.

Due Fri., Oct. 2, 11:59 p.m. CST

Smith,O 4th

9/29/2026 11:33:56 am

Something posted on social media as a teenager should not automatically cost someone a life-changing opportunity years later, provided it does not reflect an ongoing pattern of harmful behavior or safety threats. Teenagers are still developing their critical thinking skills, identity, and understanding of the world. The internet permanently freezes a single moment in time, but human beings are not static; they grow, learn, and change. Holding an adult permanently hostage to the worst or most ignorant thing they said at fifteen creates a culture that punishes growth rather than encouraging it. If society does not allow room for young people to make mistakes and mature, it removes the incentive for self-improvement.
While accountability matters—especially if the past actions caused real-world harm—institutions evaluating these situations should look for evidence of growth. There is a profound difference between an adult who still holds harmful beliefs and someone who genuinely regrets their past ignorance and has spent years demonstrating better character. Opportunities should be evaluated based on who a person is today, not an outdated digital footprint from their youth.

Fuentes, A. 7B

9/30/2026 11:15:08 am

While I do agree that it should not automatically cost someone a life-changing opportunity, even as a teenager, you should be able to know what not to post online because it will be there forever. There is a reason it is called a digital footprint, and why people say that things on the internet never go away. Everyone should be held accountable for their actions, even if it is something stupid they put online, especially if it really can cost them valuable opportunities.

Smith,O 4th

9/30/2026 02:42:02 pm

I agree with your point that people should be held accountable for what they post online. I also think it is important to consider the person’s age and whether they have changed since making the post. People can make bad decisions as teenagers and learn from them as they get older. I think accountability is important, but one mistake from years ago should not necessarily define someone forever.

Dunlap D, 6B

10/1/2026 01:02:20 pm

I agree accountability matters definitely, if the person didn't show growth and are behaving just as immature then they for sure their actions cost them opportunities then that's there fault.

Turner,A 5th

10/1/2026 02:11:34 pm

I agree with you. I think it is important to look at who a person is now instead of judging them only by something they said years ago. People make mistakes when they are young, and what really matters is whether they learn from those mistakes and grow as a person. I also agree that there should still be accountability if someone continues harmful behavior as an adult.

Godbolt M, 5B

10/2/2026 08:42:08 am

I agree especially with some points you made in your comment. They should look for evidence of growth because if they still have that same mindset and they don't regret anything they did then yes they should be punished so they can learn their lesson. Them still having that same mindset shows that they have a bad character and nobody like that should be given growing or big opportunities in life when they are a disgusting person in real life especially if their post was harming to others.

Montes H, 5B

10/2/2026 10:06:09 pm

I completely agree with your statement, Unless a past action represents a continuous, unrepentant pattern of severe harm or illegal activity, holding adults permanently accountable for the impulsive choices of their teenage selves conflates who someone was with who they are. Evaluating people based on their present character and actions allows room for genuine growth and redemption.

Godbolt M, 5B

9/30/2026 09:34:35 am

No, something you posted years ago should not affect the opportunities that you have received or created years later. While people are still young, they are still growing, part of that growth is that their frontal lobe hasn't fully developed, so they know right from wrong, however, they may still be immature enough to post crazy things because they're easily influenced by the people or things they surround themselves with. Young people also love to seek attention, which could be through the likes, comments, and laughs that they get on social media, which can also encourage them to post crazy or embarrassing things. But once someone has grown and matured, they may have a different thought on things. This could be because of challenges they faced as they grew that taught them lessons and gave them a different perspective on certain topics in life, and they may totally disagree with everything they posted years ago, but they can't control what they thought was OK to post during years when they were still growing and learning. So I don't think they should be judged or punished for their social media from years ago.

Fuentes, A. 7B

9/30/2026 11:19:27 am

I agree that someone should not be judged for what they did years ago, but society simply is not like that. People hold grudges, and they remember things. Every action has a consequence, and as teens, we should still be held accountable whether we are immature, or not. Losing opportunities based on what we post online is a lesson to learn what can actually impact our lives in ways we didn't even think were possible. So while I do agree that we shouldn't be judged or punished because we can grow, everything has an effect, and we should always be thinking about what our actions can make happen, whether it is online or in person.

Smith,O 4th

9/30/2026 02:42:27 pm

I agree that people can change a lot as they grow older and gain more life experience. I think something someone posted as a teenager should be looked at in the context of their age and maturity at the time. At the same time, I understand why people might still be concerned about what someone posted because it can show how they behaved or thought in the past. I think it is important to consider both the original post and the growth the person has shown since then.

Headd, J

10/1/2026 11:09:28 pm

It's smart to look at both sides because yeah old posts look bad but people really do change over time. If they can show they aren't like that anymore then they shouldn't lose their job or scholarship over it.

Moore A 6B

10/2/2026 01:30:18 pm

I agree with you. I think people should be held accountable for what they post, but we should also consider their age and how much they have grown since then. People can learn from their mistakes, so their past shouldn’t always define who they are now.

Smith,R 7B

10/1/2026 09:46:45 am

I agree to some degree because even if you are young and immature there are still some things you shouldn't do,let alone post on social media so again I agree to some degree.

Dunlap D 6B

10/1/2026 12:53:17 pm

I agree, you should not get away with things you said online especially highly offensive things like racism.

Ashton Crawford

10/1/2026 02:58:33 pm

I agree a person's mistakes as a young adult should not affect their career in the future. It should have a difference but not destroy a persons future.

Headd, J. 7B

10/1/2026 11:08:30 pm

I agree you especially about doing stuff for clout. When people are younger they just want attention and likes so they post random things without thinking about the future. It's crazy to hold something against someone when they have grown up and matured.

Montes H, 5B

10/2/2026 10:08:33 pm

I both disagree and agree with your statement. I believe in accountability with nuance and people should face consequences for conscious online behavior, but past mistakes shouldn't mean an instant, automatic lifetime penalty.

Fuentes, A. 7B

9/30/2026 11:12:19 am

Yes, I do believe that something you posted or said on social media should cost you opportunities as you should think about who might see what you say or do online. People often get all tough and show their true colors online because they aren't face-to-face, and can't get into any trouble, or won't face any consequences from their actions. However, I do not believe it should be an immediate disqualification for opportunities, but it should impact someone's chances because they consciously made the decision to post whatever it is that they posted when they shouldn't have.

D Turner 6th

10/1/2026 02:25:27 pm

V\we do not agree on this point because that I believe the opposite and that depending on what the person did and posted I think they should be held accountable because some thing even at a young age is just unacceptable and can effect your future opportunities.

Moore A 6B

10/2/2026 01:27:46 pm

You could respond:

I disagree because I don’t think someone should automatically lose an opportunity because of something they posted online. People can make mistakes, grow, and learn from their actions. I think the situation and the context of the post should be considered before deciding whether someone deserves an opportunity.

Crawford, A 5B

10/1/2026 09:04:41 am

No, I do not believe that something that you post as a teenager should affect your adult life. As a teen you have a crowded mindset especially, with all the false information posted on social media. Your opinions as a teen will more than likely change with your age and knowledge as you become older. I believe someone should be judged by, their mindset as they grow older. If a person still has the same beliefs and mindsets that they had as a teen and they are negative then yes they should be punished for it.

Smith,R 7B

10/1/2026 10:08:15 am

we do not agree on this point because that I believe the opposite and that depending on what the person did and posted I think they should be held accountable because some thing even at a young age is just unacceptable and can effect your future opportunities.

Sims, I 1A

10/1/2026 11:28:26 pm

I understand your point. Some things people post are really serious, and they should be held accountable. But I also think people can learn from their mistakes and change as they get older.

Turner,A 5th

10/1/2026 02:10:34 pm

I agree with you because people can change a lot from their teenage years to adulthood. I don't think one old post should define someone forever, especially if they have learned from their mistakes. I also agree that what matters more is how they act and what they believe now.

Sims, I 1A

10/1/2026 11:28:57 pm

I agree with you. People change a lot as they grow up, and one mistake shouldn't define them forever. What matters most is who they are now and what they have learned from the past.

Smith,R 7B

10/1/2026 09:41:27 am

Depending on what they posted, they should be held accountable regardless of how much time has passed,or how old they've gotten.but if it's something that can be forgiven or they can change from depending on the degree of change we talking about,no I don't think they should be held accountable for what they posted years ago.

armony hanley

10/2/2026 12:34:59 pm

Khloe Williams 8B

10/1/2026 10:48:32 am

While accountability is essential in maintaining a safe and responsible digital community, social media posts made during adolescence should not automatically cost individuals jobs, scholarships, or major life opportunities years later. Teenagers are in a critical developmental phase where personal values, critical thinking skills, and understanding of the world are constantly evolving.

Omoregbee, N 7B

10/1/2026 09:37:11 pm

I agree with what you said about accountability. Accountability is being responsible for your own actions.

Khloe Williams A4

10/2/2026 09:16:01 am

I meant to put A4 & not 8B for my class period

Dunlap D 6B

10/1/2026 11:17:42 am

I do not believe that what you post as a teen should disqualify you from a Job, scholarship or an opportunity years later Depending on what you posted. People are young and dumb and say dumb things people grow and eventually mature to some degree. To some extent they can't be fully responsible, some people may not even remember the things they said when they were young. People change the version they were when they were young can be a completely different version from now. Now of course depending on what you said without a doubt you should be held responsible because some things don't change .

Ashton Crawford

10/1/2026 02:40:58 pm

I agree with you and your point because as teens you are going to make mistakes. I believe it's what you do after your mistakes that shows your true character.

Zariah Banks 3A

10/2/2026 09:30:30 am

True, I also think the consequences should be based on the severity of what was done. Things such as race should be held to a higher standard than a dumb remark.

Littleton C 3A

10/2/2026 06:38:25 pm

True teenagers say dumb things they don't even remember, and a person's adult life shouldn't be ruined over an old comment that no longer reflects who they are.

Davis T, 5B

10/2/2026 10:35:29 pm

I agree because people grow and mature, so they shouldn’t always be judged for things they did when they were younger.

Turner,A 5th

10/1/2026 02:09:24 pm

I think people should be held accountable for their actions, but we should also consider their age and how much they have changed since then. Someone who posted something at 12 or 13 may not have understood the seriousness or long-term consequences of what they were doing. People grow, learn from their mistakes, and develop different beliefs as they get older. I don't think one mistake from someone's childhood should define who they are forever, especially if they have taken responsibility and shown that they have changed. At the same time, serious harm shouldn't simply be ignored because it happened online. There should be a balance between accountability and giving people a chance to grow.

D Gayton

10/1/2026 02:24:25 pm

Omoregbee, N 7B

10/1/2026 09:29:00 pm

I agree with everything you said on this post. The one that stuck out to me was when you mentioned that people grow and learn from their mistakes. I agree that as people get older, everybody grows and learn every day.

D Gayton

10/1/2026 02:23:43 pm

The debate over whether teenage social media posts should impact a person's future opportunities is highly complex, balancing institutional risk against individual personal growth. Legally and practically, organizations currently can and do use past social media activity to vet candidates. Approximately 35% of college admissions officers check applicant social media, and 10% of young job seekers (ages 16–34) have faced rejection due to their online profile.

D Turner 6th

10/1/2026 02:25:55 pm

Antwuan Cole

10/2/2026 09:40:36 am

Great response Mr Turner

D Turner 6th

10/1/2026 02:26:13 pm

Legally and practically, organizations currently can and do use past social media activity to vet candidates. Approximately 35% of college admissions officers check applicant social media, and 10% of young job seekers (ages 16–34) have faced rejection due to their online profiles.

Omoregbee, N 7B

10/1/2026 09:15:28 pm

I don’t think social media shouldn’t be allowed to cost a job, scholarship, or opportunities because people grow, learn, and make mistakes every day. I don’t think someone should lose opportunities over something they posted as a teenager. I believe that people change for the better as they get older.

Zariah Banks 3A

10/2/2026 09:26:48 am

I agree that people do learn and grow, but a part of learning and growing is facing reality and being held accountable at some point. Everything catches up with you sooner or later, a part of adulthood is facing mistakes you made earlier on in life.

Headd, J. 7B

10/1/2026 11:03:45 pm

To be honest I don't think it's right. When you're young you do dumb stuff on the internet all the time just to be funny or fit in and you don't really realize how long stuff stays online. By the time you're applying for college or a job you're a whole different person. Taking away a scholarship or a job because of a post from years ago just ruins someone's future over a mistake they learned from. People should be allowed to change without their past following them forever.

Antwuan Cole

10/2/2026 09:40:00 am

great analysis

Castro, E. 2A

10/2/2026 08:06:32 pm

I agree with the majority of what you have to say. Yes, it shouldn't follow you forever I think there're are post of teenagers that just cannot be ignored, silly stuff, like partying, drinking, shouldn't be costing someone their whole future. Someone post by some people cannot just be ignored, like threats, extremely racist remarks, and overall expressing their opinions in ways that are just blatantly wrong that just make you want to look the other way by how crude it is, especially if they continue to think that way. I think that in situations like that, their past should follow them to an extent.

Davis T, 5B

10/2/2026 10:38:53 pm

I agree because being young doesn’t mean you’ll always be the same person, and people deserve a chance to grow from their mistakes.

Sims, I 1A

10/1/2026 11:25:30 pm

I do not think something a person posted as a teenager should automatically cost them a job, scholarship, or opportunity years later. Teenagers are still learning and growing, and people can change a lot as they get older. While people should take responsibility for their actions, they should also have the chance to learn from mistakes and move forward. A post from years ago does not always show who someone is today.

Littleton C 3A

10/2/2026 06:35:46 pm

That is a great point, judging someone by their past teenage posts completely ignores their capacity to grow and ignores who they have actually become as an adult.

Zariah Banks 3A

10/2/2026 09:24:07 am

Yes, I believe posts/comments made on social media should automatically disqualify opportunities. It's about accountability, everything said and done in life has a reaction. Most colleges, sororities, tv shows, etc, look at things like that. Even if you are in a serious court case, social media posts will be brought up.

Antwuan Cole

10/2/2026 09:39:13 am

Should something you posted on social media as a teenager be allowed to cost you a job, scholarship, or opportunity years later?

Old posts from back in the day

Jose A 1A

10/2/2026 09:45:43 am

Should something you posted on social media as a teenager be allowed to cost you a job scholarship or opportunity
I belive that it shouldn't cost you nothing because teenager are still growing and learning new things.

sanhia w

10/2/2026 09:45:57 am

I do not believe that mistakes made on social media as a teenager should be allowed to cost someone a job, scholarship, or life-changing opportunity years later. Teenagers are in a critical stage of development where they are still learning how to navigate the world, and they frequently make poor decisions due to a lack of maturity. A person's character at age 25 is often completely unrecognizable from who they were at 13 or 14.

armony hanley

10/2/2026 12:36:11 pm

Moore A 6B

10/2/2026 01:25:24 pm

I feel like it shouldn’t because everyone grows up and your mindset when you was younger can be different from now.

Aaron P 1A

10/2/2026 02:27:39 pm

I agree that something you posted on social media could influence if you get a job or scholarship purely based on what the post was or says because if you keep a post up people will think that you act the same way.

Littleton C 3A

10/2/2026 06:32:51 pm

No, a mistake made online as a teenager should not dictate your adult future or cost you life-changing opportunities. Teenagers lack a fully developed understanding of long-term consequences, and growing up inherently means making errors, learning, and evolving. Holding an adult professionally accountable for the actions of a child completely denies the reality of personal growth. If we judge people indefinitely by their worst teenage moments rather than who they are today, we create a toxic standard that makes redemption impossible and turns a minor lapse in judgment into a permanent barrier to success.

Castro, E. 2A

10/2/2026 07:59:56 pm

Although, I mostly agree with what you're saying, I also believe there should still be a small window that allows some social media post made by teenagers to resurface. Whether we believe it or not, a lot of crimes could and probably have been posted online by teenagers, that cannot be just passed as something minor that can be brushed off. Yes, its a rare occasion but it can happen and there have been a few cases regarding these things.

Keeling J 4A

10/2/2026 11:20:43 pm

I agree with this position because not all online posts carry the same weight, and serious harmful behavior or illegal acts should not be excused simply as minor teenage mistakes. While most old posts reflect simple immaturity, leaving room for accountability in severe, rare cases ensures that significant harm is not brushed aside. Distinguishing between forgivable missteps and grave misconduct creates a balanced standard where personal growth is supported without compromising justice and safety.

Laila Meza 3A

10/2/2026 06:46:23 pm

While I agree that people can change their opinions, behavior and beliefs overtime, I also believe that people should not be exempt from the consequences of expressing their opinions publicly.

I think what’s most important is taking accountability if and when it’s necessary and continuing to learn and grow.

Rollins, I 2A

10/2/2026 09:16:06 pm

While that is true, i think that if your opinion is harmful to others or at least could be then you should think about what could happen if you post it.

Castro, E. 2A

10/2/2026 07:50:14 pm

Whether old social media posts affect a person's future is a balance debate between allowing room for personal growth and holding people accountable. On one side, teenagers naturally make silly mistakes, so minor things like old fashion choices, partying, or skipping class should't ruin an adult's career or scholarships, especially if that person has changed. On the other side, severe actions, like hate speech, violent threats, or even serious crimes as sexual assault, carry real weight and can legitimately impact someone's future, as seen in high-profile University cases, such as the Cornell University case that has recently resurfaced from 2024. Ultimately, society needs to distinguish between harmless teenage foolishness, they they probably went through as well, that deserves privacy and serious, harmful conduct that speaks to a person's actual character.

Rollins, I 2A

10/2/2026 09:13:47 pm

yes, i believe if you do post something bad then personal growth can be achieved rather than punishment.

Rollins, I 2A

10/2/2026 09:11:49 pm

I don't think someone should be held accountable for something they posted online depending on if they were still a minor or an adult because if it was an adult then they should know by now that posting certain things online comes with consequences or missing out on certain opportunities but if it was a minor then I don't they should be held accountable because they don't know any better and go with any trend that intrigues them or that other people are doing. Now if the thing they posted was really bad to where it drove someone to hurting them self then I think they should be held accountable. Kids aren't fully developed meaning their minds are still young so when they finally become adults they shouldn't be blamed for what they posted now that they know better and have mostly if not fully developed.

Montes H 5B

10/2/2026 10:01:29 pm

A teenager's social media post should not automatically cost them a major opportunity years later, as adolescents are still developing their identity and understanding of the world. Before the digital age, young people were allowed to learn from poor judgment in relative privacy, whereas social media permanently archives past mistakes without documenting the personal growth that follows. Judging an adult solely by a snapshot of who they were at 14 creates an unforgiving standard that ignores natural human development. However, there is a clear distinction between a minor lapse in judgment and serious, unaddressed harm or ongoing hatred. Unless a past post reflects an unrepentant pattern of behavior, evaluations for jobs or scholarships should focus on an individual's present character, growth, and context rather than an isolated digital remnant from their youth.

Pino 3A

10/2/2026 10:11:31 pm

Davis T, 5B

10/2/2026 10:29:52 pm

I don’t think something you posted when you were younger should ruin your chances years later. People change a lot as they get older, and you might not even think the same way you did when you were 13 or 15. If you made a mistake and learned from it, you should be able to move on from it. I think people should look at who you are now instead of only looking at something you posted years ago.

Keeling J 4A

10/2/2026 11:17:43 pm

Because social media creates a permanent record, missteps made as a teenager can resurface years later, long after an individual's values, maturity, and character have evolved. While holding people accountable for their digital presence is important, online records rarely document personal growth. This raises a vital question: should youthful online mistakes permanently jeopardize future jobs and scholarships, or should people be given the grace to mature and move forward?

Comments are closed.

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