Social media is one of the best ways to share experiences with family and friends. The explosive growth of these platforms and their multiple features make them easily accessible to people of all ages. However, some social media activities land users in prison, especially if they involve minors. That was the case of one 28-year-old Pennsylvania man, who was caught sexting a teen and exchanging explicit pictures through Facebook messenger.

The defendant, Cody Moore of Carlisle, PA., pleaded guilty to proposing sex to a juvenile 15 years or older. The victim was 16 at the time of the communications, and Moore was 27. Although Moore received a 35-year prison sentence, Martinsville Circuit Court Judge G. Carter Greer later reduced it to two years.

Protecting Your Privacy on Social Media

Social media statements and pictures are semi-permanent, and it's hard to scrub them from the web completely. A night of partying or exchange with a minor who claims they are above 18 may get you into significant trouble, especially with evidence like photos.

Fortunately, you can take steps to clear your name on social media and reduce the likelihood of your activity becoming incriminating evidence.

1. Lock Your Profile

Whether it's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok, every social media platform has privacy settings to prevent people you don't know from accessing your content. Never make your profile public, especially if you engage in activities that others find questionable.

2. Ditch the “Edgy” Bio

Even with stringent privacy settings, some social media platforms display your bio publicly. You can learn a lot about a person from their bio, and not always the best things. Avoid using questionable language or making sexually explicit statements if you don't want others to see them.

3. Use the “Untag” Feature

If you were at a party where there was alcohol, sex, drug use, or minors, you might get in trouble just by being present. If someone tags you in a picture where illegal activity is evident, ask the person to untag you and delete the image, if possible.

4. Search for Your Name

Use Google, Yahoo, and Bing to search for your name and see what comes up. If you notice incriminating images or material connected to your name or other social media account, ask the poster to remove it. While this may not always work, it's worth a try.

5. Avoid Messaging Platforms

Whenever possible, avoid sending or receiving explicit or damaging information through messenger platforms. Even if you delete the conversation, the other user may not, and there are no guarantees that you will not get caught.

Call An Attorney

If you face allegations stemming from a social media profile, consider taking these steps to protect your reputation from further damage. In some cases, however, these actions are not enough, and you may need the help of an experienced Criminal Law Team like ours at LLF Law Firm to manage your case or defend you from allegations.

A picture or statement made online can ruin your chances of employment and get you in legal trouble. Call the LLF Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 to help clear your name from negative information sourced from social media.