I find this to be an interesting question.

I personally don't know whether it's a useful tool or not. I don't think it should be. Even though it is said that it is used, I don't think it should be. I think people using online platforms should have a say in who gets to access their information. That being said, people do need to use more commonsense about what they are doing online and what they are posting. That being said, it does seem that 'common sense' hasn't been common for quite a long time now.

People should still be entitled to some privacy online and to that extent I think potential employers should only be looking at those sights that are geared towards business for that purpose ie: Linkedin etc. I think people's personal lives should not have so much of a weight factor.