In this always-connected age; online, every word we write, every picture we share, every comment we make is recorded forever.  Not only forever, but searchable and available for anyone to discover.

We have all read so many stories of workers criticising their bosses on Facebook; others calling in sick  and then writing on Facebook that they were too hung over to work.

A few of the comments to the ABC article are quite apposite.  For instance, 'Simone' says "I think people need to think about what they are doing and remember that the internet isn't just a personal diary it still affects people and their lives the same as face to face does."

Another ABC comment: 'John O,' "It's not a private comment. It's in the public domain and should be considered slander. It's about time people learned they can't just slag off at whoever they like and think they can get away with it."

Yet another comment, from 'Leanne,' "If you would be willing to say something to a person's face in front of witnesses, and if you would be fine with your words being quoted in the press, then put them on Facebook or any other networking site if you feel like it. If any one of those conditions are not met, don't do it. I am teaching my kids that you don't "put" something on Facebook, you "publish" on Facebook."

Once more, from 'nonvoter,' "facebook has 300 million social networkers who forget they are on the internet"

There are plenty of other stories, but this one reeks of foolishness - emailing the boss that "something came up at home," permitting everyone to believe a family emergency.  The truth  was dressing up as a 'fairy' for a Halloween party.

This is simple, people.  Whatever you submit to any website is completely lost from your control.