It seems like there are opportunities to put our voices out there for everyone to see at almost every corner. No longer are your voices limited to essays and writing assignments; access to social networking sites (like Facebook) and text messaging means that if you have a thought, you can share it. Unfortunately, with this freedom of expression comes the knowledge that once you've written it, it's out there. News stories exist of people not getting hired, accepted into law schools, or even losing their jobs as a result of the information they post. Further, Google recently announced a real-time search feature that allows people to view your public information on the web, and Facebook has come under increased scrutiny for it's new privacy settings. Whether or not you need to make changes is up to you, but this blog post may help a bit:
TrustedSource.org
Regardless, my question for you is, how cautious are you when posting online? What, if anything, do you consider when you go online or send a text? It's important to know as the Internet is more unforgiving than ever, and what seems like a funny joke now could turn into an embarrassing indiscretion just when you need it least.
When I send a text or go on the Internet, I am very careful when I decide to click "send".
ReplyDeleteMy parents raised me to be very cautious of what I'm posting or sending to someone. Once it's on the Internet, even if you do delete it, there is no way of taking it off the web permanently. I am less careful with texting, however, because I never say or do anything that I want to delete or take back. Before I press "send" or post a comment, I always reread what I am sending or posting and I make sure that this information does not harm me in any way.
I always ask myself the following questions before I do anything on the Internet or I send a text.
Do you want this to be on a source forever?
Did you know when you wrote this that other people can see this?
Can this affect your college education in the future if someone of authority finds this?
Many stories have been heard of people posting terrible information on the Internet and not getting accepted into Harvard or Yale no matter how smart they are or how much money they pay.
Internet precautions are very important to me, and I always tell my friends who have a Facebook or an Internet profile that this is a threat to your identity, can sometimes be illegal, and will be on the Internet forever.
Tara, thanks for your thoughtful response. I think you offer some great questions people should ask before submitting information; taking that extra step could turn out to be a pretty important decision.
ReplyDeleteNo problem, and happy holidays!! :)
ReplyDeleteHmmm,well I am not on the internet that often. (Always Fishing!),but I do come on to manage G.Y.P. And that has a forum. And now since I have thought about it I am somewhat afraid of posting this reply! Right now I am staring at the enter key thinking, should I post it?
ReplyDeleteBy the way Tara , I thought Facebook was a threat and was a little dangerous to! Thats why I don't have one!
ReplyDeleteActually, you do not have to worry about this site - since we use it for school, and I have to moderate all posts this is pretty safe. :) I was more curious about your overall policies.
ReplyDeleteWell,I have also noticed some other peoples posts on different websites and I thought maybe they should of been more considerate and checked it over to make sure they didn't put anything bad.
ReplyDeleteThat's very true. There have been many cases with friends of mine on social networking sites not being careful what they are posting or commenting on. Without proofreading their message, they got into huge arguments with other friends because they were cyber-bullying other people. The Internet is a terrible place to have an argument on, because it isn't private, and the world can see it.
ReplyDeleteMany friends of mine have asked me, "Why don't you get a Facebook? It's so addicting, and we can be friends and chat all the time!"
I simply respond saying, "I don't need one. It's a waste of time to me and is very dangerous."
I am a HUGE supporter on Internet Safety, and I am always telling my friends that there is an age limit to these sites that you are on, and someday everybody who has a Facebook or Myspace will be arrested one day. Internet Safety is my strong point, and I can argue about it for hours coming up with several reasons why sites like Twitter or Facebook should have tighter security.
For instance, whenever I post a comment I always preview it and make sure I am not giving out any personal information and that all my text is safe and sound. Those are my Internet precautions. I hope people follow them or get accustomed to their own so scams on the Internet will decrease. On a lighter note, happy holidays and have a great winter break everybody! :D
I am not much of a internet safety person (But I always am careful!) and that could be because I am an outdoors person (Fishing!) and (Why I don't want a phone!) The only thing I actually use the computer for is email,my website and homework. So that does tie in with commenting but I always am careful about posting,and when I do I always proofread. I just let my friends do those things like Facebook because I know I hate it when someone tells me there opinions about something I enjoy doing.
ReplyDeleteThis question got me thinking that I should be more careful while on Facebook. I do consider things like if I'm giving too much personal information out for everyone to see but, other than that I almost never re-read my comments or status updates.
ReplyDeleteThere has been cases that an FBI detective will pretend to be a kid and talk to some other kid on the internet and the detective says that he goes to the middle school and the other kid will say stuff like where he lives,where his bedroom is,and his favorite color. The detective will show up at his house and tell the parents if he can talk to the kid. He asks the kid do you know ------? The kid will say yes! he goes to my middle school! Detective says WRONG! I was that "kid" you talk to and I know where your bedroom is and your favorite color is yellow. The parents are stunned. So it is pretty easy for a wierdo to get info about you without you rellizing it. Good thing for those kids it was just the under cover detective and not a wierdo. You may think it cant happen to you but I wouldn't be to sure! This story HAS happened! Blog later, gotta go fishing!
ReplyDeleteJacob, that's also a very good point.
ReplyDeleteHobbies such as reading, joining a club, fishing, coin collecting, playing a sport, etc. can get you off technology and to enjoy some fresh air and have some fun besides accepting 10 "friends" on Facebook that you have never met before (dangerous!) or checking your empty inbox constantly. Then again, I need to follow my own advice and stop signing on and off Gmail every hour... ;)
I think all of you make a very good point. I myself do not have a Facebook or MySpace. Most of my friends had them last year when Facebook was very popular and I always felt left out since I wasn't allowed to have one. But then I started hearing stories about friends fighting (like Tara said) and the whole school knowing about it! When I am in an argument with a friend, I like to keep it to ourselves. Also, the fact that your business is all around everywhere you go isn't the worst part. Those type of websites are DANGEROUS! First of all, Facebook wasn't created for children to talk to their friends. Facebook was created so that adults (hence the age limit) could have the chance to catch up with old friends from when they were in school. I do not wish to partake in such activities that could greatly affect the outcome of my future.
ReplyDeleteI do have a cell phone though and I have to admit that I am not as cautious on it as I would be on a chatting site. Although, I do not usually text private things because I feel that if something is really that important, it should be said in person. Even though sometimes I fall for the cell phone and I love the feeling that I can always contact my parents easier when its with me, I feel that cell phones are the number one invention that most people can't stand, but they also can't live without it. I am positive though that it is possible to live without taking part in Facebook, Twitter, or MySpace.