WHEN it comes to the latest technology many people appear to have a very selective view of exactly how it works.

On social media, we happily post pictures and information that chronicle everything in our lives – then are surprised when people know what we’ve been doing.

We have plainly not thought through what posting actually does. The couple who took a disgustingly lewd “funny” shot at their wedding against the backdrop of a Greek monastery then posted it on Facebook were surprised at the outcry from locals generally and especially the Church. The result has been a ban on all foreigners’ weddings there.

Then there is the Liverpool couple who have become the first to be jailed for falsely claiming they and their family suffered from a tummy bug at the hotel they stayed in twice. Their allegations of ruined holidays was shown to be false by their positive postings on social media immediately afterwards.

Modern technology records all areas of our lives for posterity and, fortunately, can help prove or disprove people who insist on lying. Noreen Murray tried to claim compensation for a “work injury” that she said left her barely able to walk. Then she was pictured on a TV reality show bungee jumping.

It’s not only foolish to fake an injury but to then to willingly take part in a TV show seems the height of naivety. It is, though, something that regularly happens when people claiming long-term benefits because of disability are pictured refereeing a football match or taking part in a sporting competition themselves.

These are public events and yet they confidently expect that somehow no-one will ever notice them.

It’s the same principle as posting late at night when you’re drunk. Since few people make sense after multiple Mojitos or five vodka and tonics, why would you think that’s a good time to post your thoughts on the behaviour of your friends? Friendships and relationships have all gone down the tubes thanks to drunken postings.

Basically, we need to not only have respect for what technology is but also acknowledge what it does. Social media – and all media these days – gets information out to millions of people in a very short time. It doesn’t discriminate, unless you’re careful with your privacy settings, and it’s very hard to stop once out there.

And the sooner we accept its awesome power and unstoppability the better.