Social media background check

In the early 21st century, with the rapid expansion of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, employers began to use these channels to gather additional information about prospective employees.{{Cite web|url=https://scholarship.law.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1764&context=jcl|title=University of Pennsylvania School of Law|access-date=2023-09-25}} Initially, social media background checks were an informal aspect of recruitment, but they have gradually gained formal recognition as a crucial element in candidate screening. These checks can offer a deeper insight into a candidate's personality, interests, and personal networks, helping recruiters to make informed decisions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.softwareadvice.com/resources/social-media-background-checks/|title=Social Media Background Checks: Are You Risking a Lot for a Little?|website=www.softwareadvice.com|access-date=2023-09-25}}

The practice of social media background checks has seen a significant surge in the last decade.{{Cite web|url=https://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=2020790|title=Privacy is Dead: The Birth of Social Media Background Checks|first=Sherry Denise|last=Sanders|date=March 12, 2012|website=Social Science Research Network|ssrn=2020790 |access-date=2023-09-25}} This rise can be attributed to the exponential increase in social media users and the growing awareness among organizations regarding the importance of hiring individuals who align with their values and culture.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/278409/number-of-social-network-users-in-the-united-states/|title=U.S.: social media users 2019-2028|website=Statista|access-date=2023-09-25}} Various platforms provide services explicitly designed to conduct social media background checks efficiently, simplifying the process for businesses. The wholesale interest in such platforms is indicated by a rise in successful capital raises for technology companies such as in the case of Ferretly and Certn.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/ferretly-raises-1-5-million-in-seed-round|title=Ferretly Raises $1.5 Million in Seed Round | The SaaS News|first=Kay Aloha|last=Villamor|website=www.thesaasnews.com|access-date=2023-09-25}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230420006045/en/Certn-Background-Screening-Gets-US-30M-Boost-with-Support-from-Export-Development-Canada|title=Certn Background Screening Gets US $30M Boost with Support from Export Development Canada|date=April 20, 2023|website=www.businesswire.com|access-date=2023-09-25}} The incorporation of artificial intelligence into conducting AI-powered social media background checks also illustrates its continued popularity and that businesses are looking to ramp up and even automate their use.{{Cite web|url=https://vendordirectory.shrm.org/company/879184/news/2332438/ferretly-launches-ai-powered-social-media-background-screening-application|title=Ferretly Launches AI Powered Social Media Background Screening Application - Ferretly International, LLC|access-date=2023-09-25}}

Real-world instances of individuals being held accountable for inappropriate or offensive content shared on social media have propelled this trend further.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/careers/article-hiring-managers-survey-shows-job-seekers-should-worry-about-social/|title=Hiring managers' survey shows job seekers should worry about social media use|date=May 5, 2023|website=www.theglobeandmail.com|access-date=2023-09-25}} Prominent examples include the 2018 case involving James Gunn, who was initially fired from directing the film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 due to past offensive tweets, and the 2017 incident where a Harvard University student lost his admission due to racist remarks made online.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/james-gunn-fired-guardians-of-the-galaxy-disney-offensive-tweets-1202430392/|title=James Gunn Fired From 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' Franchise Over Offensive Tweets|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming|date=July 20, 2018|access-date=2023-09-25}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2017/6/5/2021-offers-rescinded-memes/|title=Harvard Rescinds Acceptances for At Least Ten Students for Obscene Memes|website=The Harvard Crimson|access-date=2023-09-25}}

Social media background checks are not without controversy, raising significant ethical considerations that have evolved in recent years.

Privacy advocates argue that such practices infringe on an individual's right to privacy, potentially leading to discrimination and biased hiring decisions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.accurate.com/blog/social-media-searches-in-background-screening/|title=The Arguments For and Against Social Media Searches in Background Screening|date=May 20, 2022|website=Accurate|access-date=2023-09-25}} There is also a debate about the authenticity of information available on social media, as users often present an idealized version of themselves, which may not accurately reflect their true character.

Moreover, the accuracy of social media background checks has been called into question, with critics pointing out that these checks may not always yield reliable or comprehensive results.{{Cite web|url=https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/talent-acquisition/pages/employers-prioritize-speed-over-accuracy-background-checks.aspx|title=Employers Prioritize Speed over Accuracy in Background Checks|first=Roy|last=Maurer|date=July 17, 2023|website=SHRM|access-date=2023-09-25}} Critics also warn about potential misuse of information obtained from social media, including cyberbullying and harassment.

In reality, however, a 2023 survey showed that around 90% of employers already use social media in some fashion in their hiring process and more than half of those say they have rejected a candidate due to content they found on social media. This "do-it-yourself" approach is unregulated, and critics argue that it limits the ability for candidates to dispute the results, which is the sole reason for the FCRA.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/social-media-based-screening-and-fcra-94902/|title=Social Media-Based Screening and FCRA|website=JD Supra|access-date=2023-09-25}}

In a hiring environment where the practice is already performed often on an individual basis, the introduction of systematic, regulated screening practices that meet federal compliance standards can present a better, fairer alternative for both employers and candidates.{{cite journal |vauthors=Madej JA, Mazurkiewicz M, Kuryszko J, Gaweł A |title=Histological and ultrastructural examination of muscles in broilers administered tiamulin together with ionophoric anticoccidials |journal=Arch Vet Pol |volume=33 |issue=1–2 |pages=5–17 |date=1993 |pmid=8055055 |doi=10.1007/s10672-021-09372-4 |pmc=8055055 }}

From a business perspective, social media background checks can be a valuable tool in protecting an organization's reputation and maintaining a safe and respectful workplace environment. A well-conducted social media background check can identify potential red flags, helping to prevent instances of workplace harassment or other negative behaviors.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ferretly.com/post/social-media-screening-is-more-important-than-the-traditional-criminal-background-check|title=Social Media Screening is More Important than Criminal Background Checks|date=December 4, 2020|website=Ferretly|access-date=2023-09-25}}

However, businesses also face potential legal repercussions if social media background checks are conducted improperly, such as non-compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) in the United States.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2011/06/fair-credit-reporting-act-social-media-what-businesses-should-know|title=The Fair Credit Reporting Act & social media: What businesses should know|date=June 23, 2011|website=Federal Trade Commission|access-date=2023-09-25}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ferretly.com/fcra-compliance|title=FCRA COMPLIANCE|website=Ferretly|access-date=2023-09-25}} Furthermore, relying excessively on information obtained from social media can result in missed opportunities to hire qualified candidates who may have been misrepresented through their online personas.

Given these considerations, with many screening software companies now surfacing, it is important for businesses to select an approach that is fully compliant with federal and state guidelines for background checks and privacy.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ferretly.com/post/choosing-the-right-social-media-screening-company-key-factors-to-consider|title=Choosing the Right Social Media Screening Company: Key Factors to Consider|date=September 14, 2023|website=Ferretly|access-date=2023-09-25}}

• Online vetting
• Social media use in hiring

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Category:Social media

Category:E-recruitment

Category:Internet privacy