- Image via Wikipedia
The invention of the internet has made it possible for individuals to stay informed on what is happening in the world and in the community. Along with the internet, came the development of social networking services. These online platforms focus on creating networks amongst people who share the same activities and interests.
Before you decide to join a social networking site, consider a few things:
- Who is lurking?
o Friends, family, co-workers, and individuals who share your same interests. These individuals interact with you for the sole purpose of sharing events, ideas, activities, and common interests.
o Current and potential employers. Their sole reason for lurking on social networks is to find out the activities of employees and potential employees.
o Identity thieves, spammers, sexual predators, and bullies. These individuals are not your friends and want to utilize the information on your social networking site for lurid and lascivious things.
- What to share?
o Make sure your profile/share settings have been set to private and you can comfortably share pictures, events, videos, blogs, and other items of interest with those on your “friends” list.
- What not to share?
o Personal matters should not be shared on users walls. Remember that anything you want private between yourself and the receiver is best sent via private chat.
o Private information such as birth dates, addresses, and phone numbers should never be shared. This is the exact information identity thefts look for. Mention dates of vacations along with your private information and you have invited a potential burglar to your home.
o Don’t share personal finance information, especially if you have non-private access for your social network profile. Something as innocent as saying ‘going to the local credit union’ or “so glad I bought stock in AT&T” opens the doors for identity thefts to know where you bank and invest.
o Racy pictures or videos should never be posted. These are a sexual predator’s fantasy and a potential employer’s nightmare.
When using social networking sites remember the old saying “when in doubt, keep it out”.
