The invention of social media has brought several great things to Western civilization− instant communication across the world, immediate news coverage and of course, pictures of your cat.

However, the advent of sites like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram has brought a few perils to the work environment.

For example, Free Press reporter Zlati Meyer implied that West Virginia has an incest problem on her Twitter on Monday, Jan. 13.

“#WestVirginia has its tainted water problem under ctrl. Now, it can work on incest.”

Although she deleted it posthaste, the not-so-hilarious tweet went viral and Meyer is now feeling the wrath of raging West Virginians.

Some responses to her apology tweet include: 

@frohnap2: “@Zlatimeyer you’re an idiot.”

@wvudukegirl: “@freep nice reporters you have. Disgusted. Please reprimand @Zlatimeyer for her tasteless tweet”

@ryrivard: “@Zlatimeyer my family is from Detroit and moved to WV. I don’t really think that counts as a “joke.” Just pure disgraceful bigotry.

Of course, these are just some of the PG-rated comments. Most of the others involve some… uncouth and barbaric language to say the least.

The moral of the story is that nowadays, one must understand that there are no barriers to social media. You’re going to be held accountable for what you say, even if you thought it was really, really funny at the time.

This holds true especially if you’re a public figure. 

Followers will laugh along with your posts until you cross a line.

And, the crossing of that line can always be avoided by applying some good ol’ fashioned, common sense.

Don’t say anything you wouldn’t say to your boss.

It’s as simple as that.

Meyer could potentially have been fired for this unfortunate tweet.

But, although her joke was fairly offensive, Meyer isn’t the only wrong-doer in this situation.

Responding to her apology tweet with anger and name-calling is just going to add fuel to the fire. Obviously, Meyer is correcting her mistake, but nobody seems to care. They’re calling her a “classless, elitist, liberal, communist bitch” for god’s sake.

What is left to do is to accept her apology and move on.

Meyer may be feeling the wrath of pissed off West Virginians, but her situation could happen to anyone.

Think before you tweet or post that hilarious status.

It might not get the reception you were hoping for.

And lastly, when you’re trying to subtly bash an entire state, don’t tag them in the tweet.