Privacy and Social Networking

Computer networks, social networks and social engagement in a community are all very important aspects of our lives.

Today, social networking and the issue of privacy is a growing concern with the development of Facebook, Twitter and other popular social networks. People of all ages are joining social networks for many reasons, most popularly to connect with friends. The issue is that these people are unaware of how much of their personal information they are revealing and where their personal information is being used. Social networking sites allow any individual to create online profiles revealing their personal information to friends, family, and unknown number of strangers. These social networking sites are not always informing the users about who sees their information and, Facebook, for example, not taking proper steps to protect user privacy.

So, why is this a problem for Canadians? Well, in an article, Family and Relationships from the Globe and Mail, it stated that dating as not been the same since the arrival of Facebook five years ago. Facebook is revealing so much information about individuals that jealously is evolving as well as issues of trust, even when a couple feels confident in eachother. Yes, people do apply high privacy settings to their Facebook, however this does not always stop other people from acheiving information from their profile. Social network sites are providing vast amounts of information about individuals which is leading them to experience inadequacies in both their social and personal lives.

From what we were once told and the previous generations' advice of "not talking to strangers" no longer makes any sense.

By Heather Gingell