What happens in cyberspace, stays in cyberspace. Right? Wrong. 

If you think that what you say/do online can’t affect you in the real world, think again. 

Just ask the (ex) hotel manager who lost his job after disrespecting a female journalist on Facebook. And all it took was one four lettered word (albeit a really derogatory, offensive and completely sexist word). 

Social media is increasingly being used by employers (to spy on the behavior of current and potential employees), universities (did you know the UNSW Student Code of Conduct follows you into cyberspace?), Centrelink (if you're reporting as single, don't post photos of your wedding!), and even the Courts (though mainly just to embarrass people).

But posting can in itself also be a crime under the Commonwealth Criminal Code – using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence carries a maximum penalty of 3 years imprisonment, and using a carriage service to threaten to harm someone carries a maximum penalty of 7 years. Unwanted sexting, posting derogatory comments, making threats and sharing revenge porn with your friends can land you in a whole world wide web of pain. Bad puns aside, cyber bullying can be completely life destroying for both the sender and the receiver. 

Remember if you wouldn’t say it to someone’s face you probably shouldn’t write it on social media. If you’re not sure, ask yourself what your Mum would say.