It can be tempting to think your social media accounts exist in a world of their own, but your online community can absolutely become a part of your background review when applying for a security clearance. Before you get anxious, one or two dumb posts typically don’t endanger your clearance – but patterns of recklessness and posting information that should remain private CAN. These three sentiments can point you in the right direction if you’re pursuing clearance and questioning your social media presence.
Extremism Matters More Than Specific Political Opinions
A common misconception surrounding clearances and social media posts is that sharing your political opinions equates to losing your clearance. On the contrary, the U.S. government protects individuals sharing lawful political ideas, but extremist beliefs and endorsement of violence can land you in hot water. Sharing classified information, sometimes even in the form of sharing your work routines and professional habits consistently, is another major disqualifier.
Financial Flexing Can Contradict Your File
If you expressed financial hardship on the SF-86, records of lavish vacations and gambling wins online can raise suspicion. Investigators who hear one thing from you and see another from your social media platform are going to note the massive inconsistencies. It’s not that you may appear wealthy to others online – it’s that your words don’t match what you’re broadcasting to the internet.
Online Behaviors Can Reveal Your Judgment Patterns
Your social media accounts matter to investigators because they sometimes tell a story that no form can truly capture. Repeated instances of public intoxication, harassment, and oversharing are all red flags when viewed in the context of obtaining a clearance. Patterns matter more than one-off instances of “cringe” behavior, so an awareness of your sharing habits over a long time period can be the most important component for posting securely.
Social media can serve to support or contradict your disclosures – how are YOU stewarding your accounts to reflect the life you’ve portrayed to investigators?
