To Facebook or not to Facebook. That is the question. Am I allowed to have a Facebook account? What about a Twitter account? Or a Snapchat account? It’s all so confusing!
The simple answer is that unless you are on probation or parole, you are allowed to have a social networking account. You just have to registered your log on, or screen name.
Of course, it’s never really that simple, is it?
Facebook has a clause in its Terms of Service (TOS) that prohibit registered sex offenders from having an account. Understand that this is their restriction, not a legal restriction. If you violate their TOS, all they can do is kick you off. Which they may very well do. As long as you have registered your Facebook log on ID, you are not doing anything illegal.
But Facebook does have a way of finding out, and if they do, they will probably kick you off with no notice and no explanation. They are allowed to do that if they want. You have no recourse but to grumble and complain.
Twitter has no such restriction in the TOS, nor does Google Plus. Others (like Snapchat) may or may not. You will have to read them to find out. But keep in mind, that doesn’t keep you from signing up. It just means they can kick you off if they catch you.
The important thing to remember is that you ARE in violation of the law if you fail to register your screen name or log on ID when you register with your local police. It is a violation of the Sex Offender Registration act and can result in arrest and prison time! Don’t mess around with this one. If you are going to be on a social networking site, make sure you register it!
There are lots of valid reasons for being on a social networking site, even if you are a registered citizen. After all, we’re still people. We still socialize. We still like to keep in touch. As long as you are using these sites for legitimate and legal purposes, you should not feel guilty or worried.
Of course, remember that everything you say and do on these sites is public information. Be careful. Don’t say anything or post anything that could come back to haunt you later! (This is good advice for EVERYONE who is on a social networking site!)
Click Here to read about how others deal with social media