Nowadays, it seems like everyone and their mother has a Facebook profile. In fact, just the other day I was “friended” on the site by one of my girlfriend’s dogs. Laugh all you want, but it’s true. Facebook has become a part of every day life, to the point that checking your profile page is just as routine as brushing your teeth. The real question is, should society really look at Facebook as a social necessity, or rather a social hazard?
Most people would admit that they’ve been warned, in some way or another, about the dangers of social media sites. However, it seems as though the general public has not taken these accusations to heart. There has yet to be a mass exodus from Facebook. I personally believe, as I assume many others do too, that, “If everybody is doing it, then what could be possibly be the real danger? I should be just as safe as the next person.” Individuals, like myself, have additionally put their minds to rest by privatizing profile settings and cutting down numbers of Facebook friends. However, even this may not guarantee one’s safety. Apparently, according to cbsnew.com in May of 2010, every time Facebook redesigns its site, all of one’s personal privacy setting are set back to default. This means your private information is made again public without you even knowing. Ultimate control rests within the hands of Facebook employees.
Quoting CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s unofficial mission is to “make the world more open and connected.” The site has indeed connected people. However, I would argue such connection to be on a superficial, “electronic level.” Just because you are “connected” to someone on Facebook, does not mean you would necessarily say hi to him or her on the street. As for Zuckerberg’s other mission, Facebook has absolutely inspired users to be open; so much so that just about anyone is ready and willing to publicize their every move. I am continuously astounded by the growing number of individuals eager to publish a minute-by-minute broadcast of their thoughts, emotions and whereabouts. I hate to say it, but what ever happened to the allure of living a life of mystery and secrecy?
After researching the topic of Facebook safety, I came across five distinct actions with mentioning that one should never commit on the site. First things first, never give out your full birthday. Apparently, it is possible to decipher one’s social security number with simply an accurate date and place of birth. The Huffington Post asserts that, “revealing your exact birthday and your place of birth is like handing over your financial security to thieves.” Second, never publicize that you will be leaving for a vacation or extended period of time. This is essentially like letting untrustworthy “friends,” know your house is the perfect target for a burglary. If you are insistent upon alerting others of your leave, it would not hurt to remind them you also have an alarm system, a watch dog, and some pretty sharp neighbors keeping an eye upon your residence. Third, refrain from over sharing personal thoughts pertaining to others. For example, even if you’ve had a bad day and hate your boss, there’s no need to make it Facebook knowledge. Over sharing has lead to the arrest of quite a few individuals, and for others, the loss of a job. Fourth, block your Facebook page from appearing when Google searched. Most people don’t even realize this is a prospect of owning a social media profile. The possibilities of such publicity are endless, enabling total strangers to see your gender, your picture and your full name. To amend this confidentiality setting, “go to Privacy Settings under Account, then Sharing on Facebook” (Smith and Bosker). Fifth and finally, when selecting a security question, refrain from choosing “What is your mother’s maiden name.” Wireless service providers, credit card companies, and the like use this very word to protect your private information. A better, more cautious option would be, “Who was your first kiss?” or “Who was your third grad teacher.” Though these questions may harbor greater personal sentimentality in your heart, they hold far less value in the way of confidential information.
Nevertheless, it is not my intention to scare readers off of Facebook. Its entertainment value and ability to keep distanced friends abreast of one another’s lives absolutely makes the site worthwhile. Users should merely be conscientious of their digital portfolio and electronic perception. Think twice about what you post and what you tag. Even deleted digital information is retrievable. Once it’s out in cyberspace, there’s no reeling it back in. Perhaps try keeping a bit more of your personal information personal. Who knows, the out come of such mystery might actually be a liberating feeling.
I remember when I was growing up and would answer the phone at my house, my mom would get angry at me when I would tell telemarketers that my dad wasn't home. She was THAT paranoid that someone would take that as an open invitation to burglarize our house in the peaceful, North-Shore Chicago suburb where we lived. I find it astounding how much information is available NOW to anyone who can click a mouse. Sometimes it truly is scary how much you can find out about people on the internet. Still, I can't believe that it's so easy to find someone's social security number from his or her birthday and birthplace.
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