taylorj

Follow up, then: Would they (typically)? And how does that work? Just wondering now.

Thank you for the input, that makes sense! I guess I'm wondering about my case specifically: I have mostly private accounts, I post very little, and anything I do post is inoffensive (mostly just photos with friends/family). I have a few posts/highlights on a private instagram account that express strong support of BLM, and one post on a public account expressing strong support of BLM, but that's about it. I've seen lots of discussions about BLM within my department already and everyone is in support so it doesn't seem like an issue, especially since they generally agree with my views. What I'm worried more about is my comments on public posts. For instance, I follow some large accounts on instagram that make posts on political issues, social issues, environmental issues, etc. I have a habit of looking through the comments on these posts and engaging in discussions with people whose views I don't agree with. Again, I am never disrespectful, but it's a comment section so I'm much more bold and much less formal/proper, because I figure no one I know will see it! I wouldn't want grad schools to see these and think I'm too harsh/blunt or argumentative. I'm not like that in person! ? So my question is, do you know if there's a way for committees to search for things like this (comments on public posts made from my personal account)? Or would they really only know if they stumbled upon it by accident?

I'm planning on applying for grad school this year, pursuing a PhD in physics or astronomy. Do they ever look at your social media (facebook, twitter, instagram) when you apply? This is probably a silly thing to worry about, but I'm wondering because I've become more outspoken on social media in the past year. I have been engaging in discussions (some might call them arguments ?) with people in comment sections... Mostly expressing my opinions on US 'politics', social issues, religion, etc (if it matters, I am leftist and agnostic). I'm never disrespectful of others' views, it's just that I am expressing my strong opinions via my personal account on public posts. My accounts are private, but anyone can see my comments on public posts. I doubt that this would be an issue, but I just wanted to make sure! Sorry if this is a silly question.