Social media has allowed society to share more information than ever before. What people often forget is that once a photo, tweet, or message has been posted on a social media site, it is forever part of the annals of the web. While many think that what they do and say on a social networking site will not affect their chances of obtaining future employment or warrant termination, the reality is quite the opposite. A new trend has emerged in employment law in which employers make hiring decisions based on what they find in applicants or employees' social media activity. Questions regarding the legality of this practice are numerous. Although social media can be a powerful tool for recruiting a potential candidate, most personal information contained on these websites is protected by applicable laws that protect employees from discrimination. Employers must be careful to balance employee rights and the business needs of the company. The use of social media in employment decisions has become a contemporary issue in employment law for several reasons. The first reason for this trend is the excessive use of social media sites. According to a recent Pew report, 65% of adults who use the Internet are present in some form on social media. (Hidy 70) With this in mind, employers began using information found on a social media website to obtain information they would not otherwise get on a resume and in an interview. These web pages can give the employer insight into the true nature of a candidate. However, employers should approach information on social media sites with caution, as these sites are easily manipulated...... middle of paper ...... es, the federal government will need to provide legal guidelines on the extent to which employers are allowed to use information contained on social media websites. Works Cited Calabrese, Chris. “Password Protection Act of 2012: A good start against employer surveillance.” » May 9, 2012 American Civil Liberties Union. Internet. Blog.Hidy, Kathleen McGarvey and Mary Sheila E. McDonald. “Risky Business: The Legal Implications of Social Media’s Growing Role in Employment Decisions.” Journal of Legal Studies in Business18. (2013): 69-107. Commercial source completed. Internet. December 8, 2013. O'Shea, Kellie A. "Using Social Media in Employment: Should I Hire?" Should I lay off? ". Cornell Human Resources Review (2012): 1-10. Commercial source completed. Internet. December 8, 2013Stern, Joanna. “The legislation would prohibit employers from asking for passwords.” ABC News. 6.Feb. 2013. Internet. December 8. 2013