5 Celebrity Social Media Disasters & How to Avoid Them

With over 1.2 billion active users, Facebook is the center of communication, branding, and advertising for businesses, brands, and individuals. Most people use social media to keep up with friends, favorite celebrities, and trending news, but corporate and creative types use it to boost their identity and make new fans or customers. Social media is like a canvas, and we choose how we paint ourselves with every post. One wrong color can ruin the painting. Here are five social media disasters from well-known celebrities and how you can avoid them.

In 2014, Shaq a photo mocking an unfortunate fan.

After 19 years in the NBA, Shaquille O’Neal should know how to act professionally, but apparently not. Two years ago, he uploaded an Instagram photo that showed him side-by-side with Jahmel Binion, a fan who suffers from ectodermal dysplasia. Ectodermal dysplasia is a disorder that infringes hair and tooth development. In the photo, Shaq mocked Binion’s appearance in front of 8.4 million online followers. The incident was taken to court, where a judge belittled Shaq for his actions and then threw out the case.

To avoid this mistake, try treating others how you’d like to be treated.

Alec Baldwin once used extreme homophobic language to attack a reporter.

The same advice should be given to Alec Baldwin who, in 2013, fired a round of anti-gay tweets at a Daily Mail reporter for mistakenly accusing Baldwin’s wife of tweeting during a funeral. The series of tweets included: “[I’d] put my foot up your f—ing ass, George Stark, but I’m sure you’d dig it too much,” “I’m gonna find you George Stark, you toxic little queen,” and a plea to his followers to “straighten out this f—king little b–ch.”

Understandably, Baldwin’s tweets caught the attention of LGBT activists including GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network). In his official apology, Baldwin stated his actions were not meant to cause an issue based on anyone’s sexuality but were specifically meant to offend George Stark.

To avoid this mistake, keep arguments you wouldn’t have in a public setting off of the internet!

Gwyneth Paltrow tweeted a song title that was mistaken for a racist comment.

While this isn’t exactly a problem with song lyrics, it’s close enough. In 2012, Gwyneth Paltrow joined Jay Z and Kanye West onstage during their Paris show together. She later shared an image of the experience on Twitter, adding the caption “Ni**as in paris for real.” “Ni**as in Paris” is the song she joined the rappers for on stage, but the world outside of the stadium took the tweet as a racist comment.

To avoid this mistake, consider who might be reading your posts and won’t understand an inside joke or simple reference. Any post that might appear racist or against any minority should be avoided.

Ashton Kutcher unknowingly defended someone who aided child molesters.

When Penn State University coach Joe Paterno was given the boot for covering up events of child molestation in his locker room, Ashton Kutcher blindly attacked the university for its decision, tweeting that the college had “no class” and “poor taste.” At the time, Paterno was at the center of a scandal affecting over a hundred players and family members and had admitted to turning a blind eye to a colleague’s reprehensible actions.

The world seemed to forgive Kutcher after the actor explained he had no idea about the scandal, but some reporters say it’s impossible for him to have been on Twitter without knowing.

To avoid this mistake, don’t add your comments to current events without researching the subject enough to know the major details. Even better: avoid current events altogether unless expressing sympathy to victims of tragedy.

James Franco tried getting lucky with an Instagram follower.

In 2013 while starring in Of Mice & Men on Broadway, James Franco met a fan he seemingly couldn’t take his eyes off. The fan, Lucy, took a photo with James and posted it to Instagram. The actor then messaged her, asking for personal details like age and location. Lucy explained that she was 17 and visiting New York City from Scotland. The two exchanged numbers, and James — seeming almost impatient — started asking when he could come over or if he should rent his own room in her hotel.

Lucy took the messages to the media, including photos Franco sent of himself to the underage teen. While nothing happened between the two and no inappropriate photos were exchanged, the messages end with Franco asking Lucy to text him when she’s older and ready to meet.

To avoid this mistake, use your common sense. Nothing on the internet is private, guys! (Also, propositioning a minor is illegal.)

These disasters sound easily avoidable, butt even the elite make mistakes. All of these social media fails blew over with time but are still widely accessible thanks to Google and online media. Don’t be caught in these or any other internet disasters. Think before you post, or, if your budget allows, hire an expert to run your accounts. As these five celebrities found out, a single status can temporarily dent or destroy a career.