(BBC, BLOGS) - London, England - There’s a certain pleasure in watching someone with ambition to make it big in politics being brought back down to earth by their own reckless behaviour.
Prospective Labour MP Stuart MacLennan became the first casualty of the General Election campaign today as he was sacked over offensive posts about voters, politicians and celebrities he made on Twitter.
He called the elderly "coffin dodgers" and even tweeted about wanting a "slave-grown" banana.
Remarkably, the 24-year-old even predicted his own political demise when he tweeted: “Iain Dale reckons the biggest gaffes will likely be made by candidates on Twitter - what are the odds it'll be me?”
In the past, a dodgy remark made on a doorstep while canvassing for votes would most likely have gone unreported. But making such comments on social networking sites shows a serious lack of judgment.
And there’s a moral here for all of us who choose to socialize and create a profile for ourselves on the Web. Unlike footprints in the sand, your digital footprint will never be erased.
MacLennan posted some of his updates before he was selected by the Labour Party. And even today, after his Twitter account was deleted, the tracks are still there on the Web for all to see.
Much has been written about how students should beware photos of their drunken antics ending up on Facebook as employers increasingly use the site to check on prospective employees.
But it’s not just students who need to beware. Tweet in haste, and repent at leisure. One day your digital indiscretions will come back to haunt you.
What do you think? Is being on social networking sites worth the risk?
