Social Media Background Screening

What Is Social Media Background Screening? 

Social media background screening, also known as a social media background check, can be carried out by anyone for any purpose. Any information that is placed online is there to stay and available to be accessed by the public, free of charge, depending on the platform and the user's security settings.

What Are Possible Red Flags In A Social Media Background Check?

During a social media background check, details may surface that suggest a potential employee might not be a suitable fit for the business. There are so-called red flags that, while deterring employers, may not actually prevent a person from performing the job. Posts with excessive swearing, images of wild parties, or extreme political views could all fall under this category.

The following are warning signs that could surface during a social media background check and that businesses ought to consider seriously:

• Unlawful behavior (drugs, underage drinking, etc.)
• Sexist or racist remarks
• Aggressive or violent behavior (including trolling or stalking)
• Explicit sexual content
• Information that is secret

People that are responsible, knowledgeable, and respectful tend not to have such things come up during a social media background check—employees most employers would like to hire.

Do Background Investigations Evaluate Social Media?

Background checks that are typical or conventional do not examine social media activities. Anyone who has access to a person's Social Security number, address, and permission may conduct a routine background check on them, including a prospective employer, landlord, or other parties. An official background check might cost anything from $20 to $100.

The results of a background check could include information about the following:

• Employment background
• Professional certifications
• Education
• Driver's license
• Crime histories
• Credit report
• Medical background

What Perks Do Employers Get From Social Media Background Checks?

Employers benefit from social network background checks because:

• Look for evidence to back up any assertions on an applicant's resume.
• Spend less time phoning and speaking with the references for a candidate.
• Find out about the professional endorsements and business network of potential employees.
• Check a prospective employee for dangers and warning signs (as discussed above).
• Reduce employee disciplinary actions, complaints, and turnover.

Should Employers Conduct Social Media Background Checks On Their Employees? 

In addition to pre-employment ones, employers may decide to conduct internal social media background checks. Even if there may be advantages, these can involve time-consuming labor and (sometimes major) risk.

There is a danger that an employer could unintentionally or intentionally violate personal liberties or anti-discrimination legislation when conducting a thorough background check on an employee or prospective employee.

An obvious concern that can result from conducting internal social media audits is discrimination allegations. Employees and job seekers are protected "against employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.

Additionally, employees frequently find it offensive to think that their company is prying into their personal affairs. They might sense burden, judgment, distrust, annoyance, or even censorship. An employee can come to wonder whether certain decisions were made in favor of them or against them in light of their preferences, interests, friends, pictures, or public musings. This is not good for loyalty and trust between people.

Conclusion

Beyond the apparent advantage of detecting persons who might have drug, alcohol, or violent criminal history, social media background checks have several practical advantages. Predictive analytics can offer information on the conduct of prospective employees when working independently. Employers who want to keep office politics and scandals at bay might consider it. For employers that want employees who won't be late for work, get into difficulty on the job, or act violently against coworkers, excessive alcohol consumption and getting agitated are red flags in addition to drug misuse, which is well known.