Bare with us on this. Sounds a bit dramatic but, post something raunchy on Facebook and the unintended ripple affect can last years. We worked on a case where a Social Worker from the local county had posted some pics of a party she’d attended. Drinks, weird outfits, etc. But what really made up the minds of her boss that fired her within a few days of learning about the pics was the statement she made under the pics making fun of the poor and underprivileged she served. A client found the pics, emailed the social worker’s boss and, boom – no more job.

Here are the top ways in which Facebook can kill or at least mame your teen’s future:

1. College Admissions: It’s a bad idea to post dicey photos or racy prose on social networking sites, no matter how private teens may think they are. In a 2008 study, 1 of 10 college admissions staff routinely reviewed college applicants’ Facebook pages. Nearly 40% found content that reflected poorly on those prospective students. Here’s the interesting (and enlightening) part – It wasn’t that the teens posted nasty or hard core partying pics, they had simply written ugly things about the colleges they visited. Read more about this issue here.

Hint: Encourage your college-bound teen to clean up their FB pages, dump nasty photos, and post thoughtfully written content when they visit a college.

2. Peers: Friends, peers or just other random classmates can make life hell for your teen’s FB pages. Peers can easily throw others under the bus to administrators, teachers, or perspective employers.

Hint: This is a good time to educate your teen on the politics of social life. Be nice to others,  post nice things, don’t give them any ammunition and hopefully they’ll ascend into adulthood without FB biting them.

3. Legal: Facebook has been deemed admissible in many lawsuits making your teen’s postings have serious legal repercussions. Savvy attorneys now start out a case by searching online for information about plaintiffs, defendants, experts and witnesses. Read more here on this excellent blog from the law field.

Hint: Talk with your teen about the repercussions of their actions (yeah, this is not the most popular thing for teens to hear). Let them know that what’s posted on FB is fair-game in court if they ever get into trouble.

4. Child Pornography/Rape: This last one is creepy to think about but more common than you may realize. Posting and sending photos of oneself or friends in sketchy clothing or sexually suggestive poses is popular with kids, but if any of those posing are under 18, child pornography charges may follow. Example: In 2008 a 15 y/o was charged with child pornography after sending nude pics of herself to friends. At the time, officials considered charging anyone who received those images as well. Here is link to a more recent example in Oklahoma. It’s one thing to be charged with sending or receiving child pornography as a minor, but those charges in adult court may carry not only prison time, but a lifetime of registering as a sex offender. Same is true of rape. We are not talking about the type where an intruder violates a stranger in their home. If an 18 y/o posts pics and makes references to having an intimate relationship with a minor (17 y/o or younger), they could be in serious trouble.

Hint: Check your kid’s FB accounts periodically. What they may consider totally fine may be exposing them to some unintended consequences in the future (…and the internet does not seem to forget anything).

5. Career: Employers are checking FB accounts. In this economic climate with high unemployment, companies can cherry pick the best of the best. Teens may not understand that FB is not only a communication tool, but a means of building their personal brand that will last throughout their career. Tarnish that profile early and teens can be a significant disadvantage to those competing for the same jobs.

Hint: Find some examples of FB pages that strick a balance between connecting with friends and family and acceptable to show a future boss.