Almost half (44%) of working U.S. adults believe an active social media presence is more likely to hurt someone’s career than help, while 37% say it’s more likely to be an advantage, according to a new ASA Workforce Monitor^® survey from ASA conducted by The Harris Poll. Not surprisingly, attitudes regarding the benefits and dangers of social media on career prospects found sharp generational contrasts.

“An active social media presence has the ability to make or break years of hard work in the blink of an eye,” said Richard Wahlquist, chief executive officer at ASA. “While younger generations may see social media as a platform for personal expression as well as a tool to advance their careers, it’s important to keep in mind that any post you make will likely be seen by potential employers.”

The news comes at a time when seven out of 10 employers admit to using social media sites to research job seekers, with 57% of those saying they’ve found materials that caused them to move away from a candidate.