What you should know about social networking

   

A social network is a web site that allow users to share information with a selected group of friends. It’s a great way to stay connected. Social networking is also a convenient way to share photos from trips or events. Why not just write a letter? Too time consuming, some would answer—and it is expensive if you have to make copies of photos. Why not use the phone? Again, too time-consuming, especially since you have to call one person at a time, and some will not be at home or available to talk when you are. Clearly, social networking has some advantages. But are there any dangers? If so, what are they, and how can you avoid them?

     Does social networking affect your privacy? If you are not careful, your profile information, photos, status updates could reveal too much. For example, they might reveal such things as where you live, when you are not at home, where you work, or where you go to school. Your address along with a brief post such as, “We leave for vacation tomorrow!” is enough to tell a thief where and when to strike. People tend to forget that once they post something online, it is in the public domain. Really, anything posted on a social network should be viewed as public or as material that can easily be made public. What can you do? Be thoroughly familiar with the privacy settings on your social network, and use them. Restrict access to your status updates and photos to people you know and trust.  Regularly review your page, and ask yourself whether anything you have revealed could be used by dishonest individuals to locate you or to steal your identity.

     How does social networking affect your time? Social networking can consume your time and distract you from more essential activities. The more contacts you have, the more time you will spend social networking and the more addictive it can be. It’s hard to get off a social networking site. Time is a item that you cannot afford to waste. So why not set a budget for it, just as you would for your money? First, write down an amount of time that you feel would be reasonable to spend networking. Then track yourself for a month, and see how well you kept your resolve. Make adjustments where needed.

     How does social networking affect your reputation? What you post on a social network carves out a reputation for you that may be difficult to erase.  Many may not see the potential danger. It seems that when people go on a social network, they lose their sense of reason. They say things that they normally wouldn't say. Some don’t realize that with one distasteful post, their good reputation can be ruined. Look at your social network page and try to see it the way others would see it. Ask yourself these questions: ‘Is this how I really want to be viewed?

 How does social networking affect your friendships? Your friendships influence how you think and act. So it only makes sense to be selective about whom you befriend on a social network. Some accept dozens or even hundreds of friend requests from people they hardly know—or do not know at all. Others discover that not all on their list of friends are good associates. Set up a ‘friend policy.’ For example, put limits on themselves with regard to friendships. The best guideline is to only friend people you know and have a connection with them off-line.