Charities challenge Facebook searches on jobseekers

Bosses who search for job candidates on social-networking sites have been challenged by an alliance of charities opposed to the practice.

The Government is being urged to make the action illegal by eight charities, which include NSPCC, the Children's Society and National Children's Homes.

John Carr, Secretary of the Children's Charities' Coalition on Internet Safety, told The Times: 'When young people put up their personal profiles they are not thinking about job or university applications. Typically, they are simply talking to their mates.'

Mr Carr, who is co-ordinating the campaign, described the searches as 'highly and inappropriately intrusive.'

Figures from a poll by the paper suggest that a fifth of employers have used online resources to learn more about a job candidate.

And the survey revealed that two-thirds of those who had discovered information about a job applicant have used it to influence their decision about the person.

Meanwhile, US firm Gartner has advised businesses to embrace social-networking sites; according to the company, such sites can boost creativity and encourage professional networking.