U-M's David Brandon Warns High School Students About Social Media

Amid his inspirational words about the power of positive energy, University of Michigan Athletic Director David Brandon issued a strong message to local high school students on how social media can magnify one's attitude in a way with lasting implications. 

Brandon, a former CEO of Domino's Pizza and head of U-M's juggernaut athletic program since 2010, said that more and more, social media is a place where potential employers turn to evaluate candidates. 

"If I access the things that you're posting, I'm going to learn about your attitude, and if I don't like what I see, I'm going to hire somebody else," Brandon told about 400 Bloomfield Hills High School juniors during a special assembly Thursday. Careful not to mingle with stringent NCAA rules about what he can say in front of high school students, Brandon indicated the message was important for students to consider as they enter the job market and college-application process.

The talk was one of three separate visits Brandon carved into the afternoon at BHHS, as part of the ongoing team-building effort underway as the transition to a consolidated high school continues, school district officials said. 

It's not the first time Brandon has focused on the potential pratfalls of social media. He, and U-M's storied football program, gained national attention in the wake of the Manti Te’o hoax earlier this year when he exposed an exercise to teach players how vulnerable they can be online.

The athletic department intentionally had a mysterious young woman “friend”  several athletes on social media sites, and after seeing several inappropriate exchanges, educated them about the potential harm to the program and their future careers. 

Have you been burned this way by social media, and how do you teach younger users of social media about the possible broader implications of their posts? Tell us with a comment.