Reflection on Social Media Case 7: Anthony Weiner's Post

           The Anthony Weiner case is a perfect example of how someone’s reputation can be ruined through social media, especially when they deny the truth. Anthony Weiner was a U.S. Congressman who was accused of sexting. He initially denied the accusation, but because it was on social media, news stories dug deeper into the case and he eventually admitted that the accusations were true. His reputation was ruined, which is obvious when you do a Google search on his name. Most all of the top search results are about the whole scandal and there is even a whole Wikipedia page devoted to his sexting scandals. I can’t help but wonder if the negative effects on him would have been lessened if he would have admitted to the whole thing in the beginning, rather than lying about it.

               There are definitely many things that can be learned from Anthony Weiner, such as admitting to something that you did, especially if it is being talked about on social media. This is especially important if you are a political figure being as you are constantly being watched by the public. Anthony Weiner brought “degradation upon himself” according to The New York Times. I believe that part of this self-inflicted degradation was the fact that he didn’t admit to everything that he had done until it was too late, and of course, the fact that he sexted multiple women, including an under-age girl is the main cause of this degradation. Although I do wonder if the effects would have been lessened if he admitted his faults earlier, I don’t believe that he would have gotten away with the sexting. He would have had to face criticism and many other things, but I don’t think it would have been as bad as it was. Lying and hiding things will only make matters worse, no matter who you are.