Everyone is guilty of saying something in haste that they wish would have never came out of their mouths.  However, on social media, what is said in discussion threads is searchable and indexed by Google.  Facebook recently announced Graph Search which enhances one’s search ability on the Facebook platform allowing users to conduct more advanced search queries using the data from Facebook’s entire social ecosystem.  One of the implications of this new feature is enhanced people search for the purpose of recruiting.  If there wasn’t already good enough reason for jobseekers to clean up their Facebook (and all other) profiles, this simply adds to the argument for why one should.

SimpleWash App

SimpleWash is an app developed to help people cleanse their social media profiles from profanity.  The SimpleWash app currently connects to your Facebook or Twitter account, scans your profile for a list of predefined words that are potentially profane  and then presents you with the results.  The SimpleWash app shows you results from your profiles.  You can then click on the individual result to delete or edit the potential profanity.   This tool makes it easier for social media users to scrub their accounts for a professional makeover.

Try it yourself! Go to the SimpleWash App and use this tool when helping your students.