Blog

Social Media Background Screening

TAble of content
share on

Download this resource!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

What Is Social Media Background Screening? 

Social media background screening, also known as a social media background check, can be carried out by anyone for any purpose. Any information that is placed online is there to stay and available to be accessed by the public, free of charge, depending on the platform and the user's security settings.

What Are Possible Red Flags In A Social Media Background Check?

During a social media background check, details may surface that suggest a potential employee might not be a suitable fit for the business. There are so-called red flags that, while deterring employers, may not actually prevent a person from performing the job. Posts with excessive swearing, images of wild parties, or extreme political views could all fall under this category.

The following are warning signs that could surface during a social media background check and that businesses ought to consider seriously:

  • Unlawful behavior (drugs, underage drinking, etc.)
  • Sexist or racist remarks
  • Aggressive or violent behavior (including trolling or stalking)
  • Explicit sexual content
  • Information that is secret

People that are responsible, knowledgeable, and respectful tend not to have such things come up during a social media background check—employees most employers would like to hire.

Do Background Investigations Evaluate Social Media?

Background checks that are typical or conventional do not examine social media activities. Anyone who has access to a person's Social Security number, address, and permission may conduct a routine background check on them, including a prospective employer, landlord, or other parties. An official background check might cost anything from $20 to $100.

The results of a background check could include information about the following:

  • Employment background
  • Professional certifications
  • Education
  • Driver's license
  • Crime histories
  • Credit report
  • Medical background

What Perks Do Employers Get From Social Media Background Checks?

Employers benefit from social network background checks because:

  • Look for evidence to back up any assertions on an applicant's resume.
  • Spend less time phoning and speaking with the references for a candidate.
  • Find out about the professional endorsements and business network of potential employees.
  • Check a prospective employee for dangers and warning signs (as discussed above).
  • Reduce employee disciplinary actions, complaints, and turnover.

Should Employers Conduct Social Media Background Checks On Their Employees? 

In addition to pre-employment ones, employers may decide to conduct internal social media background checks. Even if there may be advantages, these can involve time-consuming labor and (sometimes major) risk.

There is a danger that an employer could unintentionally or intentionally violate personal liberties or anti-discrimination legislation when conducting a thorough background check on an employee or prospective employee.

An obvious concern that can result from conducting internal social media audits is discrimination allegations. Employees and job seekers are protected "against employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.

Additionally, employees frequently find it offensive to think that their company is prying into their personal affairs. They might sense burden, judgment, distrust, annoyance, or even censorship. An employee can come to wonder whether certain decisions were made in favor of them or against them in light of their preferences, interests, friends, pictures, or public musings. This is not good for loyalty and trust between people.

Conclusion

Beyond the apparent advantage of detecting persons who might have drug, alcohol, or violent criminal history, social media background checks have several practical advantages. Predictive analytics can offer information on the conduct of prospective employees when working independently. Employers who want to keep office politics and scandals at bay might consider it. For employers that want employees who won't be late for work, get into difficulty on the job, or act violently against coworkers, excessive alcohol consumption and getting agitated are red flags in addition to drug misuse, which is well known.

Explore how Manatal can Fit
your Business

Receive an overview of Manatal platform from a product expert.

Get started with Manatal

Our 14-day free trial allows anyone to explore the platform without commitment, while our team is committed to providing support and guidance throughout the process.
Data migration from your existing recruitment software
Team training for a fast and smooth onboarding
Transparent and flexible pricing without lock-in contract
Highest security protocol as standard (SOC II Type 2)
24 / 5 support availability via live chat
All-in-one platform covering all your recruitment needs

Transform the Way You Recruit Today.

World-leading Recruitment Software for Talent Acquisition and Recruitment Professionals.
900,000+
Recruitment processes managed.
10,000+
Active recruiting teams.
135+
Countries.
Bill Twinning
Talent Resources & Development Director - Charoen Pokphand Group
Manatal is the best ATS we worked with. Simplicity, efficency and the latest technologies combined make it an indispensable tool for any large-scale HR team. Since its adoption, we've seen a huge increase across all our key recruitment metrics. To summarize, it is a must-have.
Ahmed Firdaus
Director - MRI Network, Executive Search Firm
I've been using Manatal for the past couple of months and the platform is excellent, user-friendly and it has helped me a lot in my recruitment process, operation and database management. I'm very happy with their great support. Whenever I ask something they come back to me within minutes.
Dina Demajo
Senior Talent Acquisition - Manpower Group
Manpower has been using Manatal and we couldn't be happier as a team with the services this platform has provided. The application is extremely user-friendly and very well equipped with all the useful functions one would required for successful recruitment. The support team is also excellent with very fast response time.
Edmund Yeo
Human Resources Manager - Oakwood
Manatal is a sophisticated, easy-to-use, mobile-friendly, and cloud-based applicant tracking system that helps companies achieve digitalization and seamless integration to Linkedin and other job boards. The team at Manatal is very supportive, helpful, prompt in their replies and we were pleased to see that the support they offer exceeded our expectations.
Maxime Ferreira
International Director - JB Hired
Manatal has been at the core of our agency's expansion. Using it has greatly improved and simplified our recruitment processes. Incredibly easy and intuitive to use, customizable to a tee, and offers top-tier live support. Our recruiters love it. A must-have for all recruitment agencies. Definitely recommend!
Ngoc-Thinh Tran
HR Manager, Talent Sourcing & Acquisition - Suntory PepsiCo Beverage
I am using Manatal for talent sourcing and it is the best platform ever. I am so impressed, the Manatal team did an excellent work. This is so much awesome, I am recommending the solution to all recruiters I know.
Bill Twinning
Talent Resources & Development Director - Charoen Pokphand Group
Manatal is the best ATS we worked with. Simplicity, efficency and the latest technologies combined make it an indispensable tool for any large-scale HR team. Since its adoption, we've seen a huge increase across all our key recruitment metrics. To summarize. it is a must-have.
Ahmed Firdaus
Director - MRINetwork, Executive Search Firm
I've been using Manatal for the past couple of months and the platform is excellent, user-friendly and it has helped me a lot in my recruitment process, operation and database management. I'm very happy with their great support. whenever I asked something they come back to me within minutes.
Dina Demajo
Senior Talent Acquisition - Manpower Group
Manpower has been using Manatal and we couldn't be happier as a team with the services this platform has provided. The application is extremely user-friendly and very well equipped with all the useful functions one would required for successful requirement. The support team is also excellent with very fast response time.
Kevin Martin
Human Resources Manager - Oakwood
Manatal is a sophisticated, easy-to-use, mobile-friendly, and cloud-based applicant tracking system that helps companies achieve digitalization and seamless integration to Linkedin and other job boards. The team at Manatal is very supportive, helpful, prompt in their replies and we were pleased to see that the support they offer exceeded our expectations.
Maxime Ferreira
International Director - JB Hired
Manatal has been at the core of our agency's expansion. Using it has greatly improved and simplified our recruitment processes. Incredibly easy and intuitive to use, customizable to a tee, and offers top-tier live support. Our recruiters love it. A must-have for all recruitment agencies. Definitely recommend!
Ngoc-Thinh Tran
HR Manager, Talent Sourcing & Acquisition - Suntory PepsiCo Beverage
I am using Manatal for talent sourcing and it is the best platform ever. I am so impressed, the Manatal team did an excellent work. This is so much awesome, I am recommending the solution to all recruiters I know.

Try Manatal for free during 14-day with no commitment.

No credit card required
No commitment
Try it Now