Final answer:
You may face criminal, disciplinary, or administrative action for online misconduct when you violate legal, policy, or ethical guidelines such as posting inappropriate content or discriminatory comments.
Step-by-step explanation:
You may be subjected to criminal, disciplinary, and/or administrative action due to online misconduct when your online activity violates the law, company policies, or ethical standards—which is an option (c). This can include a range of behaviors, such as posting inappropriate pictures, making discriminatory comments, or bad-mouthing a previous or current employer. For example, sharing seemingly harmless jokes and memes can have unforeseen consequences if they are offensive or in bad taste; this also applies to expressing personal opinions on social media or using it to communicate with colleagues.
If an individual engages in online activities that contravene the expected codes of conduct, not only could there be immediate repercussions, such as a failed internship or suspension from school activities as illustrated in the examples, but there could also be long-term impacts on one's career and educational opportunities. Therefore, it is crucial to know your audience and consider the impact of your message before sharing content online.
Moreover, privacy settings should not be left as 'public,' which increases the risk of negative footprints that can harm future opportunities and credibility. As we engage with technology and social media, it's essential to maintain an awareness of online privacy, security, and control to protect our professional and personal reputations.