Technology offers students a lot of great opportunities – but those opportunities come with danger.

W. Scott Lewis, JD, spoke to students and faculty Wednesday as part of the Student Success Series with the program MyFace, Spacebook and Other Issues of Technology for Students.

The event gave students some  insight into the pros and cons of technology at a  university.

Lewis is a partner with the National Center of Higher Risk Management and has 15 years of  experience in higher education.

Lewis not only told students the harsh reality of technology but displayed how the Internet can be used to their advantage.

Students can find a balance by using technology to connect to people and by sharing appropriate information, Lewis said.

“Students should try and be mindful of the amount of time they spend on social networking,” Lewis said. “It can be frustrating for a professor, and rightfully so to hear from a student how they didn’t have time to complete assignments, when their Facebook page is full of posts. Especially posts about all the social activities they engaged in.”

Even though social networking websites like Facebook are a great way to connect with people who have the same interests and a way to stay in touch with distant friends and family, Lewis said they can also be potential time-eaters.

“Sharing information that is inappropriate such as pictures, messages or groups or unsafe content like addresses and phone numbers are major cons,” Lewis said.

During the presentation, Lewis surprised students by explaining how and why employers check future employees Myspace, Facebook and Twitter accounts before hiring.

“They generally don’t use (this method) as a preclusion for hiring, but it allows them to ask questions that most applicants would rather not have to answer,” Lewis said. “One student said, ‘They have no right to be in your personal business,’ but students don’t understand they make it public when they post it. No matter how private you may think your Facebook page is, your 50 to 5,000 friends make it public in their eyes.”

Lewis advised students during the lecture to keep their social networking accounts very innocuous.

Don’t put up any posting on a wall or pictures in an album that wouldn’t be acceptable on a public website, Lewis said.

“A lot of companies have an image or ethos they wish to project such as family-friendly and safe,” Lewis said. “When you join groups, have postings or have pictures that are inconsistent with their expectations, businesses have the right to ask about them.”

Cyber-bullying and cyber stalking have been on the rise in recent years and the young peoples constant need for technology has intensified the issue.

On Facebook it is easier to avoid these issues because you can just block or unfriend the user, Lewis said.

“We are always surprised when a student complains about being harassed via Facebook or the phone, but will not unfriend the perpetrator or block their number. It is more difficult on sites where the user can remain anonymous and post horrific things about someone. It is still possible for the victim to not visit those sites.”

Lewis gave students five tips on how they can best use the Internet and technology to their advantage including not to text or instant message anything they wouldn’t say to someone out in public.

It provides a transcript of the conversation, Lewis said.

“Think about how someone might use information you post that may be harmful to you,” Lewis said. “For example, by posting on your Facebook you are out of town or running alone in your neighborhood park aren’t protecting yourself. Be safe and smart.”