In today’s society, the Internet allows us to have nearly everything we could ever want at the tips of our fingers. And, essentially, we really can’t live without it. So much of our daily lives revolve around an internet connection or electronic device. Not to mention, people spend countless hours on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

But here’s the thing about the Internet: once it’s posted, it will never go away. Ever.

Unlike the latest "Sinister" or "Insidious" movie, the Internet is the most horrifying story of our generation. No matter how many times you click the “delete” button, once it’s been published online, it will stay there forever. Perhaps it won’t be visible on your timeline, website, or blog anymore, but it’s still out there. Even those Snapchats that magically disappear after 10 seconds have been saved somewhere and can still be accessed. Those private messages you send via Kik, Tinder, Facebook, or Twitter? They aren’t as private as you think.

How many times have you scrolled through your news feed and seen posts with profane language, racial insults, insulting content, or the infamous Facebook fight? All of those posts with inappropriate content will never go away.

Online shopping is one of the most popular ways to purchase clothes, books, electronics, or household goods. However, I noticed something when I shop online. After I search for a product online, I see advertisements for that exact product on Facebook, Twitter, or other websites I visit. Somehow, the company is able to trace that I searched for a product, and generates ads for that specific product for only me to see. Scary, isn’t it?

No matter what, whatever you post or search for can be easily linked to you.

You leave a footprint of every action you take on the Internet. That is, whatever you do online can always be accessed or viewed by someone with the right technological skills and intelligence. Consider how many political and celebrity scandals have arisen from leaked private emails, posts, or photos that were shared via the Internet.

We live in an era where many employers may look up an employee or potential employee on social media. Not only that, but we have also heard so many stories of how things that people post online have cost them their jobs. Before I post, retweet, share, comment, or like anything on the Internet, I remember that my employer any future employer can see what I do online.

Take a minute and look through your Facebook timeline. Is what you share appropriate, mature, and professional? Or is it something that your boss would be ashamed and embarrassed to see?

It’s important for people to remember what they do on the Internet because every action you take can be traced to you for the rest of your life. So the next time you think about posting, tweeting, sending, commenting, or liking, remember that every click of the mouse and every keystroke can haunt you- forever.