I knew that facebook was huge and yes it is a great way to get in touch with people you haven’t seen, heard or even thought of in a hell of a long time. It was an article I read today that has changed my opinion about how limiting your profile information is so important to do. Right now, there is an investigation into a murder that occurred in the town I lived in for 2 years and met Matt in. I was searching to find the couple’s name that was murdered and I came across an article that referred to a young woman that was seen hanging out with the killer. The article says she refused to talk to the media about the situation so the media got their own information about the young woman their own way…..yes they went to her facebook page where they have painted their own picture of her just from information listed on her facebook page. They even went as far as to list her place of employment.
“On a page on Facebook, an online social-networking site, a Jane Sparks from the Alabama area said she was born in 1988. The woman describes herself as “a crazy lil chick.â€
The page, on which she identifies herself as single, is littered with references to a partying lifestyle. Two pictures show marijuana buds (the site says her cause of choice is legalizing pot) and she lists her interests as “mostly just partying and chillin’.â€
The blonde-haired teen, who has 54 friends listed on her site, says her employer is Sunny Days Golf Course in Alabama.
But staff at the course said Sparks hasn’t worked there in more than a month.”
I have changed the name and location, although you may already know the correct information, I am choosing to not list it.
My point is we need to be careful about how much information we list on our page. Is it really important for people to know your phone numbers? Or where you work? Think about just listing what you do rather than including where you work. Does everyone and anyone really need to see who you have listed as friends? Maybe not. All I am saying is just make sure you have your profile limited to the least amount of information listed as possible.
The disappointing news, as Matt let me know is that even if you delete your account with Facebook, they still have your information and will always have it. Although it may not be posted, your name, photos, etc. will be in their system always.
I don’t know about you, but it shocked me with the reference to her facebook page and chose to create an image of a girl who was trying to stay under the radar. Scary!
It makes me think, what have I gained from Facebook? Yes, I have come into contact with people that I haven’t seen in a long time, and it allowed Julie and I to connect and arrange a meeting after three years, but what I have lost is countless hours of looking into others lives, feeling nosy when looking at others’ photos and wondering who has recently updated their status. It is just weird for me that it has become the norm to check my email in the morning and then check the Facebook home page. An odd addiction so many of us have developed. For me, it’s to the point that I just want to get rid of it. It is surprising how it is such a craze! I congratulate those who have not given into the peer pressure (Dana and Rachael) and don’t have a Facebook page yet. No matter what, don’t give in!! 