HOW NOT TO GET HACKED ON FACEBOOK
from the article 'Facebook Users: How Not to Get Hacked'
By Kimberly Weisul | May 10, 2011
There are plenty of things Facebook users, and others, can do to protect their personal information online. Consumer Reports recommends:
Keep tabs on your kids’ accounts. Some kids won’t ‘friend’ their parents, of course, but they just might fork over their user name and password. Other parents can keep up on their children’s online activities via siblings or other friends.
Use privacy controls. Consumer Reports found that one in five adult Facebook users don’t use privacy controls. Whenever Facebook gives you a choice, set the information to be visible only to your friends. Otherwise your profile picture, friends list, activities, and other info can be seen by anyone who does a public search on your name.
Turn off Instant Personalization. Instant personalization shares your location information with sites such as Yelp and TripAdvisor (and the list is growing). The default setting for “instant personalization” is “on,” but you can turn it off.
Be careful with apps. In most cases, you can decide which information an app can see. Facebook says it doesn’t share identifiable information with advertisers, but using an app does make general information available.
Set a PIN number for your phone. Most smartphones allow you to set a four-digit PIN for your phone, but only about 20 percent of people-even those who store sensitive information on their phones-actually do this.
Protect your phone. The PIN is just the start. Many manufacturers offer over-the-air backup, remote phone locating, remote phone locking, and erasing of data and account info. You can also get software to lock your phone or erase data remotely. Turn off the phone’s GPS feature if you don’t need it.
MY THOUGHTS
I never liked the apps.
Showing posts with label social networking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label social networking. Show all posts
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
SOCIAL NETWORKS FOR KIDS
Top 3 Kid-safe Social Networks
By helle Hainer
Every Day Connected
When Rachel Sarah of Oakland, Calif., first heard about Club Penguin, a social networking site for kids, she had no idea what it was. "My daughter kept asking me if she could use it," recalls Sarah. Not sure whether her daughter, who's under 13, was too young to be on the Web, Sarah decided to check it out herself. "There aren't any ads, and the site seems really fun and innocent," says Sarah.
But how can you be sure a site is really what it seems? We’ve done the legwork for you and found the top three social networks for kids. Here’s how they keep kids entertained while making their safety a top priority:
CLUB PENGUIN
Kids are given a penguin avatar that can interact with the other penguins on the site, play games and earn coins to buy accessories for their penguin or furniture for their igloo. Membership is $5.95 per month for premium access, which allows kids to customize their penguins.
Age group: 8 to 14, although older kids can join too. Parents register kids who are under 13.
What kids love: The penguins are simple and cute. Kids can get creative when customizing the look of their penguin and igloo, and meet other penguin friends for coffee or tea.
Privacy and safety features: Parents can choose between the Standard Safe-Chat, which allows kids to type their own chat messages, or Ultimate Safe-Chat, which restricts them to prewritten words or phrases, like "Hello" or "What's up?" "Club Penguin has really strong filters, so you won't need to worry about kids swearing or going crazy," says Anastasia Goodstein, author of Totally Wired: What Teens and Tweens Are Really Doing Online.
MY THOUGHTS
I hope moms and dads with kids under 13 would check out these sites.
By helle Hainer
Every Day Connected
When Rachel Sarah of Oakland, Calif., first heard about Club Penguin, a social networking site for kids, she had no idea what it was. "My daughter kept asking me if she could use it," recalls Sarah. Not sure whether her daughter, who's under 13, was too young to be on the Web, Sarah decided to check it out herself. "There aren't any ads, and the site seems really fun and innocent," says Sarah.
But how can you be sure a site is really what it seems? We’ve done the legwork for you and found the top three social networks for kids. Here’s how they keep kids entertained while making their safety a top priority:
CLUB PENGUIN
Kids are given a penguin avatar that can interact with the other penguins on the site, play games and earn coins to buy accessories for their penguin or furniture for their igloo. Membership is $5.95 per month for premium access, which allows kids to customize their penguins.
Age group: 8 to 14, although older kids can join too. Parents register kids who are under 13.
What kids love: The penguins are simple and cute. Kids can get creative when customizing the look of their penguin and igloo, and meet other penguin friends for coffee or tea.
Privacy and safety features: Parents can choose between the Standard Safe-Chat, which allows kids to type their own chat messages, or Ultimate Safe-Chat, which restricts them to prewritten words or phrases, like "Hello" or "What's up?" "Club Penguin has really strong filters, so you won't need to worry about kids swearing or going crazy," says Anastasia Goodstein, author of Totally Wired: What Teens and Tweens Are Really Doing Online.
MY THOUGHTS
I hope moms and dads with kids under 13 would check out these sites.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
FACEBOOK AT WORK
Facebook and the Law: The NLRB Got It Right
By Suzanne Lucas | February 10, 2011
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a press release about the much talked about Facebook Case. The press release states:
Under the terms of the settlement approved today by Hartford Regional Director Jonathan Kreisberg, the company agreed to revise its overly-broad rules to ensure that they do not improperly restrict employees from discussing their wages, hours and working conditions with co-workers and others while not at work, and that they would not discipline or discharge employees for engaging in such discussions. (Emphasis is mine.)
You know what this is? Nothing new and nothing exciting. This is right in line with previous decisions regarding the rights of employee to talk about their salaries, hours and working conditions. It makes perfect sense to consider Facebook and other social media as talking. Because that is precisely what it is.
Now, this does not mean that the internet becomes a free-for-all. If you could be fired for talking about it before, you can still be fired now for posting about it. (And remember this is a union case, and doesn’t necessarily apply to the majority of American workers.)
This will not be the last we hear of Facebook and the law. Other Facebook related cases are pending. You would be smart to be cautious about what you say and post on the internet, because unless you are saying something that is explicitly protected, your boss can still fire you.
UPDATE: I got an e-mail from Nancy Cleeland, NLRB’s Director of Public Affairs. She gave me permission to post her e-mail for further clarification:
Thanks for your post on the Facebook settlement, which someone just forwarded to me. I just wanted to point out that even though the employee was represented by a union, our concerns related to the company’s social media policies and her postings were not union-related and would apply to any private-sector workplace that is under the NLRB’s jurisdiction.
So, this is farther reaching than I originally said. I’ll be keeping my eye on any Facebook (and other social media) cases, and now I have a contact at the NLRB.
MY THOUGHTS
this is not local news and i have not heard of any local case like this one. but i'm pretty sure this subject has caused companies (and individuals) headaches. a lot of people are not mature enough to handle the freedom.
i had a short project with a company whose employees are spending so much time on FB and youtube and all those internet sites. we had to hire someone to block certain sites. of course it caused some uproar. and i did not totally agree with the way it was handled. but it had to be done.
i think companies should immediately draw up internal policies on social networking while at work. don't wait for it to fester. and come-up with some way for people to still do social networking during break time. a kiosk would work.
By Suzanne Lucas | February 10, 2011
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a press release about the much talked about Facebook Case. The press release states:
Under the terms of the settlement approved today by Hartford Regional Director Jonathan Kreisberg, the company agreed to revise its overly-broad rules to ensure that they do not improperly restrict employees from discussing their wages, hours and working conditions with co-workers and others while not at work, and that they would not discipline or discharge employees for engaging in such discussions. (Emphasis is mine.)
You know what this is? Nothing new and nothing exciting. This is right in line with previous decisions regarding the rights of employee to talk about their salaries, hours and working conditions. It makes perfect sense to consider Facebook and other social media as talking. Because that is precisely what it is.
Now, this does not mean that the internet becomes a free-for-all. If you could be fired for talking about it before, you can still be fired now for posting about it. (And remember this is a union case, and doesn’t necessarily apply to the majority of American workers.)
This will not be the last we hear of Facebook and the law. Other Facebook related cases are pending. You would be smart to be cautious about what you say and post on the internet, because unless you are saying something that is explicitly protected, your boss can still fire you.
UPDATE: I got an e-mail from Nancy Cleeland, NLRB’s Director of Public Affairs. She gave me permission to post her e-mail for further clarification:
Thanks for your post on the Facebook settlement, which someone just forwarded to me. I just wanted to point out that even though the employee was represented by a union, our concerns related to the company’s social media policies and her postings were not union-related and would apply to any private-sector workplace that is under the NLRB’s jurisdiction.
So, this is farther reaching than I originally said. I’ll be keeping my eye on any Facebook (and other social media) cases, and now I have a contact at the NLRB.
MY THOUGHTS
this is not local news and i have not heard of any local case like this one. but i'm pretty sure this subject has caused companies (and individuals) headaches. a lot of people are not mature enough to handle the freedom.
i had a short project with a company whose employees are spending so much time on FB and youtube and all those internet sites. we had to hire someone to block certain sites. of course it caused some uproar. and i did not totally agree with the way it was handled. but it had to be done.
i think companies should immediately draw up internal policies on social networking while at work. don't wait for it to fester. and come-up with some way for people to still do social networking during break time. a kiosk would work.
Monday, February 7, 2011
HOW SECURED IS FACEBOOK
Facebook defends security strategy
Shy social network responds to criticism
By John Leyden • Get more from this author
Posted in Malware, 21st January 2011 16:01 GMT
Analysis Facebook has defended its record in thwarting rogue applications and other security in the face of criticism from security firms that it ought to adopt tighter application controls.
The dominant social network disputes findings from a threat report by UK-based net security firm Sophos, released earlier this week, that spam, malware and other attacks have become more effective against Facebook users over the last year.
Facebook reckons the opposite is true while disputing the methodology adopted by Sophos which it said looked, for example, at the volume of spam sent to Facebook users instead of the volume that reached their in-boxes.
Facebook said: "If your spam filter catches all the spam, does it matter that your filter caught 10 per cent more?"
The social networking site reckons less than three per cent of communications on Facebook are spam, compared to industry estimates that email spam makes up 90 per cent of all electronic messages. The implication is that Sophos is focusing on the wrong problem.
Unfriending rogues
Survey scams have become an almost daily occurrence on Facebook over recent months. Typically they use the lure of an application that a potential victim's friend has been tricked into installing, such as a 'Dislike' button or a link to shocking (invariably bogus) news about a celebrity.
Instead of getting the promised content, victims are invited to navigate their way through a thicket of time-wasting surveys. Scammers earn a kick-back for each victim as affiliates of unethical marketing firms.
More ambitious (and lucrative) scams attempt to trick victims into supplying their mobile number, before signing up to a premium rate text messaging service of questionable utility.
The scams take advantage of human stupidity rather than web security vulnerabilities. Both Sophos and Facebook agree that user education is part of the solution, but the two are split on whether Facebook itself could do more to tighten up its controls on how applications are released onto its platform.
In a statement responding to Sophos' report, Facebook said it has plenty of controls already that limit access to information.
We have built extensive controls into the product, so that now when you add an application it only gets access to very limited data and the user must approve each additional type of data (so we do more than anyone else to educate users about passage of data, and force disclosure and user consent for each category beyond the basics).
We have a dedicated team that does robust review of all third party applications, using a risk based approach. So, that means that we first look at velocity/number of users/types of data shared, and prioritise. This ensures that the team is focused on addressing the biggest risks, rather than just doing a cursory review at the time that an app is first launched.
We make sure that we act swiftly to remove/sanction potentially bad applications before they gain access to data, and involve law enforcement and file civil actions if there is a problem.
Down with this sort of thing
Facebook said it is constantly improving the level of account protection offered to users, citing its introduction of one-time passwords back in October 2010, a development designed to make it safer for users to use public computers to access the service.
The social network goes on to list its user education programmes, which are geared to improving the security awareness levels of users.
These initiatives include updating the 3.6 million people who have liked the Facebook Security Page, hundreds of thousands of which have taken our "Stop. Think. Connect." quiz on the Page, which we developed with National Cyber Security Alliance and the Anti-Phishing Working Group; as well as the education we do through the product, for example, when we detect that an account is compromised by phishing or malware, we put the owner through a remediation/education process that includes a free McAfee virus scan.
When a person clicks on a link that we can't verify, or that we think might be suspicious, we pop an interstitial warning.
We put these points to Sophos, which said it stood by the main findings of its original report, and argued that the social network could and should do more to improve the security of its users.
"I definitely feel that Facebook could be doing more to both better secure their users, and to ensure that privacy is treated as a higher priority," Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos, told El Reg.
Facebook may talk a good game but a quick search (viewable only if logged into Facebook and safe providing you don't click on the links) shows hundreds of victims have installed a rogue app that falsely promises the ability to "see who has viewed your profile".
Facebook ought to have someone searching for such scams and stamping them out, something that isn't happening as yet. "Often I see these scams spreading for days on end, with no obvious action taken by Facebook," Cluley said.
Careful now
According to Sophos, the social network could employ a round-the-clock security response team. Some have suggested Apple-style pre-approval of apps would drastically reduce, if not eliminate, the volume of crud circulating on Facebook. However, Cluley said such an approach was hard to apply to Facebook's platform.
"Pre-approval of apps is tricky, because they are web-based and contain content that is not hosted on Facebook's own servers," Cluley explained. "In other words, the bad guys could change it any time - turning a good app into a rogue one."
What might work better is some form of white-listing or restricting the ability to access sensitive data to already trusted developers, Cluley explained.
"Each app could be submitted for profiling to Facebook, who would create a matrix of what data it requested to access from the user, and which webpages it uses content from. If these changed at any point then the app would no longer be approved, and be sent back to Facebook's sinbin team for checking.
"Better than that would be for Facebook to only allow apps that came from approved developers to access sensitive information or post to users' walls."
Cluley said Facebook introduced an optional app verification program in November 2008, only to quietly kill it off a year later.
Facebook ought to consider reviving the program, said Cluley. "If developers had to pay to become official developers for the Facebook platform, and if not being an official developer meant you weren't able to hit Facebook users, then we'd see an instant dramatic drop in the attacks."
Sophos suggested that Facebook ought to be more proactive in using its security page as an early warning system on scams, as part of a broader program targeted at curtailing rogue apps and other security threats.
"There's a sliding scale of things that Facebook could do to counter the problem of rogue apps - ranging from faster response to stricter conditions about who and who can't write Facebook applications," Cluley concluded. "What's clear is that their current approach isn't working." ®
MY THOUGHTS
we have a choice, as always. if we're so heated up about our security and privacy there are, at least, 2 things we can do. one is to stop using facebook altogether.or be a responsible user.
Shy social network responds to criticism
By John Leyden • Get more from this author
Posted in Malware, 21st January 2011 16:01 GMT
Analysis Facebook has defended its record in thwarting rogue applications and other security in the face of criticism from security firms that it ought to adopt tighter application controls.
The dominant social network disputes findings from a threat report by UK-based net security firm Sophos, released earlier this week, that spam, malware and other attacks have become more effective against Facebook users over the last year.
Facebook reckons the opposite is true while disputing the methodology adopted by Sophos which it said looked, for example, at the volume of spam sent to Facebook users instead of the volume that reached their in-boxes.
Facebook said: "If your spam filter catches all the spam, does it matter that your filter caught 10 per cent more?"
The social networking site reckons less than three per cent of communications on Facebook are spam, compared to industry estimates that email spam makes up 90 per cent of all electronic messages. The implication is that Sophos is focusing on the wrong problem.
Unfriending rogues
Survey scams have become an almost daily occurrence on Facebook over recent months. Typically they use the lure of an application that a potential victim's friend has been tricked into installing, such as a 'Dislike' button or a link to shocking (invariably bogus) news about a celebrity.
Instead of getting the promised content, victims are invited to navigate their way through a thicket of time-wasting surveys. Scammers earn a kick-back for each victim as affiliates of unethical marketing firms.
More ambitious (and lucrative) scams attempt to trick victims into supplying their mobile number, before signing up to a premium rate text messaging service of questionable utility.
The scams take advantage of human stupidity rather than web security vulnerabilities. Both Sophos and Facebook agree that user education is part of the solution, but the two are split on whether Facebook itself could do more to tighten up its controls on how applications are released onto its platform.
In a statement responding to Sophos' report, Facebook said it has plenty of controls already that limit access to information.
We have built extensive controls into the product, so that now when you add an application it only gets access to very limited data and the user must approve each additional type of data (so we do more than anyone else to educate users about passage of data, and force disclosure and user consent for each category beyond the basics).
We have a dedicated team that does robust review of all third party applications, using a risk based approach. So, that means that we first look at velocity/number of users/types of data shared, and prioritise. This ensures that the team is focused on addressing the biggest risks, rather than just doing a cursory review at the time that an app is first launched.
We make sure that we act swiftly to remove/sanction potentially bad applications before they gain access to data, and involve law enforcement and file civil actions if there is a problem.
Down with this sort of thing
Facebook said it is constantly improving the level of account protection offered to users, citing its introduction of one-time passwords back in October 2010, a development designed to make it safer for users to use public computers to access the service.
The social network goes on to list its user education programmes, which are geared to improving the security awareness levels of users.
These initiatives include updating the 3.6 million people who have liked the Facebook Security Page, hundreds of thousands of which have taken our "Stop. Think. Connect." quiz on the Page, which we developed with National Cyber Security Alliance and the Anti-Phishing Working Group; as well as the education we do through the product, for example, when we detect that an account is compromised by phishing or malware, we put the owner through a remediation/education process that includes a free McAfee virus scan.
When a person clicks on a link that we can't verify, or that we think might be suspicious, we pop an interstitial warning.
We put these points to Sophos, which said it stood by the main findings of its original report, and argued that the social network could and should do more to improve the security of its users.
"I definitely feel that Facebook could be doing more to both better secure their users, and to ensure that privacy is treated as a higher priority," Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos, told El Reg.
Facebook may talk a good game but a quick search (viewable only if logged into Facebook and safe providing you don't click on the links) shows hundreds of victims have installed a rogue app that falsely promises the ability to "see who has viewed your profile".
Facebook ought to have someone searching for such scams and stamping them out, something that isn't happening as yet. "Often I see these scams spreading for days on end, with no obvious action taken by Facebook," Cluley said.
Careful now
According to Sophos, the social network could employ a round-the-clock security response team. Some have suggested Apple-style pre-approval of apps would drastically reduce, if not eliminate, the volume of crud circulating on Facebook. However, Cluley said such an approach was hard to apply to Facebook's platform.
"Pre-approval of apps is tricky, because they are web-based and contain content that is not hosted on Facebook's own servers," Cluley explained. "In other words, the bad guys could change it any time - turning a good app into a rogue one."
What might work better is some form of white-listing or restricting the ability to access sensitive data to already trusted developers, Cluley explained.
"Each app could be submitted for profiling to Facebook, who would create a matrix of what data it requested to access from the user, and which webpages it uses content from. If these changed at any point then the app would no longer be approved, and be sent back to Facebook's sinbin team for checking.
"Better than that would be for Facebook to only allow apps that came from approved developers to access sensitive information or post to users' walls."
Cluley said Facebook introduced an optional app verification program in November 2008, only to quietly kill it off a year later.
Facebook ought to consider reviving the program, said Cluley. "If developers had to pay to become official developers for the Facebook platform, and if not being an official developer meant you weren't able to hit Facebook users, then we'd see an instant dramatic drop in the attacks."
Sophos suggested that Facebook ought to be more proactive in using its security page as an early warning system on scams, as part of a broader program targeted at curtailing rogue apps and other security threats.
"There's a sliding scale of things that Facebook could do to counter the problem of rogue apps - ranging from faster response to stricter conditions about who and who can't write Facebook applications," Cluley concluded. "What's clear is that their current approach isn't working." ®
MY THOUGHTS
we have a choice, as always. if we're so heated up about our security and privacy there are, at least, 2 things we can do. one is to stop using facebook altogether.or be a responsible user.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
WILL YOU BLAME SOCIAL NETWORKING?
blame social networking
By Loretta Park
Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau
Last updated
Saturday, January 22, 2011 - 8:26pm
http://www.standard.net/topics/schools/2011/01/22/school-fights-more-violent-some-blame-social-networking
School officials and police officers are concerned that fights in schools are becoming more aggressive and violent, and they believe e-mail, texts and social networking are at the root of that escalation.
Suzanne Buchanne, director of the at-risk population with Davis School District, said, "I'm seeing more assertive/aggressive behavior."
Although she could not pinpoint a specific reason why, Buchanne thinks e-mail, texts and social networking are playing a huge role.
In the past, when several students were mad at each other, they would go to class or go home and time would allow tempers and feelings to cool down, she said.
Now, students text and e-mail each other, as well as post remarks on social networking sites, such as Twitter, Facebook and MySpace, Buchanne said.
"Now, I've got all my buddies involved; and it's not just boys doing this either," she said.
Recently, an incident erupted at a Davis County high school in which social networking was believed to have played a role. A 19-year-old is still in an area hospital with a brain injury following the fight at Viewmont High School.
"He has a significant head injury," said Bountiful Police Chief Tom Ross.
Ross said the fight that landed Spencer Spilman in a hospital happened on Jan. 10 in the school's parking lot during school hours.
"Fights are not so shocking," Ross said. "But what is (shocking) is how quickly, in a short period of time, we had kids gathered in one place for a fight."
He blames social media and texting.
Students from Woods Cross and Bountiful high schools have been implicated in the fight.
News of fight
News that a fight would be taking place traveled in a matter of seconds, bringing students from neighboring cities to the parking lot, officials said. Police spent the next 48 hours, working overtime, investigating how many students were involved.
Three juveniles are facing aggravated assault charges, which in an adult court could be a second-degree felony. Also, at least six more students could be charged with misdemeanor offenses, such as disorderly conduct or fighting, Ross said.
But the aggressiveness and intensity of that fight, as well as another one earlier in January after a basketball game between Viewmont and Davis high schools, has officials concerned.
Consequences
Parents need to talk to their teenagers about the consequences of getting involved in fights, Buchanne said. It's not just bruises or black eyes, that will heal in a few days.
Instead, a student can find herself/himself without a school to attend, she said.
"They just don't think what the long-term consequences are," Buchanne said.
Students involved in fighting, as well as bringing weapons to a school, can be expelled for up to a year. If the incident is serious enough, the student could be expelled from every school in Davis School District, Buchanne said.
"And other districts can uphold that expulsion," Buchanne said. "I don't think people realize that. We don't have to offer them any services."
Principal Chris Keime at Fairfield Junior High School in Kaysville said students are taught at the beginning of the year how to deal with conflicts maturely and what the district's safe school policy is.
But social networks and electronics are making it difficult for students to deal with disagreements, he said.
"It's hard for kids, especially when their honor has been hurt," Keime said.
But at least statistically, kids might be getting the message.
Overall, fights or violent acts in schools are not increasing, but instead decreasing, not only in Davis School District, but statewide and nationally.
Decreases
According to a 2010 Bureau of Justice Statistics report, in 2003, 9.2 percent of ninth-grade to 12th-grade students, nationwide, reported being threatened or injured with a weapon on school property. In 2007, that percentage decreased to 7.8 and decreased again in 2009 to 7.7 percent.
In Utah, 7.3 percent of ninth-grade to 12th-grade students in 2003 reported being injured or threatened with a weapon on school property, according to the report. In 2007, that percentage increased to 11.4, but then dropped in 2009 to 7.7 percent.
Some of that decrease statistically could be attributed to the programs schools are putting in place.
Parents at North Layton Junior High volunteer to patrol the hallways during the lunch hour, which helps keep the peace, said Assistant Principal James Gordon.
Students are also told if there is a conflict or they feel afraid, they can find an adult -- a teacher or administrator -- who can help them get through the conflict.
Conflict resolution
Overall, most students are good kids; but several weeks ago friction between two North Layton students escalated due to social networking and texting, and there was a fight, he said.
Gordon said parents should teach their children how to resolve conflicts without using technology. One way is to use appropriate behavior when they disagree with someone else.
He said teenagers are very much aware of current events and see how adults handle disagreements.
"They can see there are very clear disagreements between Democrats and Republicans," Gordon said. "I agree with President (Barack) Obama that we should sit down at the table and talk about disagreements and what is the actual conflict."
Also, parents need to know what students are watching, not only on TV, but what they are seeing on the computer, what they are reading in books and who they are communicating with, Gordon said.
"I really feel technology is fast outpacing our students' judgement and they're dealing with adult issues," Gordon said.
Technology allows anyone, including teenagers, to hide behind a screen and become a different person, he said.
"What is written shocks not only the parents, but me," said Gordon, who has been an educator for 17 years.
MY THOUGHTS
i wonder if the same is happening here. and i really don't think we should blame social networking sites. we cannot stop the world from evolving. and we should not stop trying to cope with these changes called 'development'.
i know, it's a lot simpler for moms and dads and teachers when technology was not this advanced. you tell your kid he/she is grounded and that's it. nowadays, you tell them they are grounded and you confiscate the computer and the cellphone,too.
this is why strong values have to be inculcated. at home and in school. strong values that are not just taught but exemplified. values that will arm us and the kids against the evils of technology.
come to think of it, technology is not evil. we are the ones who make it so.
By Loretta Park
Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau
Last updated
Saturday, January 22, 2011 - 8:26pm
http://www.standard.net/topics/schools/2011/01/22/school-fights-more-violent-some-blame-social-networking
School officials and police officers are concerned that fights in schools are becoming more aggressive and violent, and they believe e-mail, texts and social networking are at the root of that escalation.
Suzanne Buchanne, director of the at-risk population with Davis School District, said, "I'm seeing more assertive/aggressive behavior."
Although she could not pinpoint a specific reason why, Buchanne thinks e-mail, texts and social networking are playing a huge role.
In the past, when several students were mad at each other, they would go to class or go home and time would allow tempers and feelings to cool down, she said.
Now, students text and e-mail each other, as well as post remarks on social networking sites, such as Twitter, Facebook and MySpace, Buchanne said.
"Now, I've got all my buddies involved; and it's not just boys doing this either," she said.
Recently, an incident erupted at a Davis County high school in which social networking was believed to have played a role. A 19-year-old is still in an area hospital with a brain injury following the fight at Viewmont High School.
"He has a significant head injury," said Bountiful Police Chief Tom Ross.
Ross said the fight that landed Spencer Spilman in a hospital happened on Jan. 10 in the school's parking lot during school hours.
"Fights are not so shocking," Ross said. "But what is (shocking) is how quickly, in a short period of time, we had kids gathered in one place for a fight."
He blames social media and texting.
Students from Woods Cross and Bountiful high schools have been implicated in the fight.
News of fight
News that a fight would be taking place traveled in a matter of seconds, bringing students from neighboring cities to the parking lot, officials said. Police spent the next 48 hours, working overtime, investigating how many students were involved.
Three juveniles are facing aggravated assault charges, which in an adult court could be a second-degree felony. Also, at least six more students could be charged with misdemeanor offenses, such as disorderly conduct or fighting, Ross said.
But the aggressiveness and intensity of that fight, as well as another one earlier in January after a basketball game between Viewmont and Davis high schools, has officials concerned.
Consequences
Parents need to talk to their teenagers about the consequences of getting involved in fights, Buchanne said. It's not just bruises or black eyes, that will heal in a few days.
Instead, a student can find herself/himself without a school to attend, she said.
"They just don't think what the long-term consequences are," Buchanne said.
Students involved in fighting, as well as bringing weapons to a school, can be expelled for up to a year. If the incident is serious enough, the student could be expelled from every school in Davis School District, Buchanne said.
"And other districts can uphold that expulsion," Buchanne said. "I don't think people realize that. We don't have to offer them any services."
Principal Chris Keime at Fairfield Junior High School in Kaysville said students are taught at the beginning of the year how to deal with conflicts maturely and what the district's safe school policy is.
But social networks and electronics are making it difficult for students to deal with disagreements, he said.
"It's hard for kids, especially when their honor has been hurt," Keime said.
But at least statistically, kids might be getting the message.
Overall, fights or violent acts in schools are not increasing, but instead decreasing, not only in Davis School District, but statewide and nationally.
Decreases
According to a 2010 Bureau of Justice Statistics report, in 2003, 9.2 percent of ninth-grade to 12th-grade students, nationwide, reported being threatened or injured with a weapon on school property. In 2007, that percentage decreased to 7.8 and decreased again in 2009 to 7.7 percent.
In Utah, 7.3 percent of ninth-grade to 12th-grade students in 2003 reported being injured or threatened with a weapon on school property, according to the report. In 2007, that percentage increased to 11.4, but then dropped in 2009 to 7.7 percent.
Some of that decrease statistically could be attributed to the programs schools are putting in place.
Parents at North Layton Junior High volunteer to patrol the hallways during the lunch hour, which helps keep the peace, said Assistant Principal James Gordon.
Students are also told if there is a conflict or they feel afraid, they can find an adult -- a teacher or administrator -- who can help them get through the conflict.
Conflict resolution
Overall, most students are good kids; but several weeks ago friction between two North Layton students escalated due to social networking and texting, and there was a fight, he said.
Gordon said parents should teach their children how to resolve conflicts without using technology. One way is to use appropriate behavior when they disagree with someone else.
He said teenagers are very much aware of current events and see how adults handle disagreements.
"They can see there are very clear disagreements between Democrats and Republicans," Gordon said. "I agree with President (Barack) Obama that we should sit down at the table and talk about disagreements and what is the actual conflict."
Also, parents need to know what students are watching, not only on TV, but what they are seeing on the computer, what they are reading in books and who they are communicating with, Gordon said.
"I really feel technology is fast outpacing our students' judgement and they're dealing with adult issues," Gordon said.
Technology allows anyone, including teenagers, to hide behind a screen and become a different person, he said.
"What is written shocks not only the parents, but me," said Gordon, who has been an educator for 17 years.
MY THOUGHTS
i wonder if the same is happening here. and i really don't think we should blame social networking sites. we cannot stop the world from evolving. and we should not stop trying to cope with these changes called 'development'.
i know, it's a lot simpler for moms and dads and teachers when technology was not this advanced. you tell your kid he/she is grounded and that's it. nowadays, you tell them they are grounded and you confiscate the computer and the cellphone,too.
this is why strong values have to be inculcated. at home and in school. strong values that are not just taught but exemplified. values that will arm us and the kids against the evils of technology.
come to think of it, technology is not evil. we are the ones who make it so.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Social network boosts learning
Social network boosts learning
Franklin history class uses online forum to build their skills.
By Andy Sedlak, Staff Writer 4:35 AM Saturday, January 22, 2011
FRANKLIN — Plenty of teachers have taken advantage of the Internet’s researching possibilities, but one Franklin High School teacher is making strides to incorporate the web’s second generation — social networking — into his classes.
Jim McFarland began teaching five years ago and has been using online discussion boards in his history classes for the past three. He usually posts first, typically regarding classroom readings or general assignments, and asks his students to comment on his post and each others’ as part of their homework.
“It allows me to evaluate a lot easier, to get feedback before class even starts,” the 30-year-old said. “So then, in the period that I have them, I can (either) correct and misconceptions they may have had about the reading, or it prevents me from having to be repetitive and go over materials they already understand.”
The use of discussion boards and forums are popular at the college level.
“If he’s teaching them how to use these things safely and responsibly — that’s great — I don’t think (educators) do that enough,” said Janet Hurn, Senior Instructor of Physics at Miami Middletown. “They’ll have a leg up in the modern classroom.”
McFarland asks his students to use Google Docs, which allows access to electronic classroom documents through Google. With a recently updated version, students can simultaneously access the same document, meaning one could be writing the paper’s opening, another the body and a third the conclusion, all at the same time.
“They can help each other, which is more assistance than I can provide,” McFarland said. “It’s that collaborative nature that I like a lot, and the district isn’t paying any money to use these servers. It’s all free and will be — knock on wood — forever.”
McFarland created a Facebook page in the days running up to Franklin’s exam week, where his students had the ability to pose questions about homework or review session times.
“I check it almost every time I get on,” said Emily Simpson, a 17-year-old senior in McFarland’s AP history class.
“It definitely feels different in there, but in a good way,” she said of McFarland’s classroom. “It makes you feel like you’re learning at a faster rate.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2871 or asedlak@coxohio.com.
MY THOUGHTS
any takers? i'm thinking. i'm thinking. i like the idea. just don't know yet how i can do the same.
Franklin history class uses online forum to build their skills.
By Andy Sedlak, Staff Writer 4:35 AM Saturday, January 22, 2011
FRANKLIN — Plenty of teachers have taken advantage of the Internet’s researching possibilities, but one Franklin High School teacher is making strides to incorporate the web’s second generation — social networking — into his classes.
Jim McFarland began teaching five years ago and has been using online discussion boards in his history classes for the past three. He usually posts first, typically regarding classroom readings or general assignments, and asks his students to comment on his post and each others’ as part of their homework.
“It allows me to evaluate a lot easier, to get feedback before class even starts,” the 30-year-old said. “So then, in the period that I have them, I can (either) correct and misconceptions they may have had about the reading, or it prevents me from having to be repetitive and go over materials they already understand.”
The use of discussion boards and forums are popular at the college level.
“If he’s teaching them how to use these things safely and responsibly — that’s great — I don’t think (educators) do that enough,” said Janet Hurn, Senior Instructor of Physics at Miami Middletown. “They’ll have a leg up in the modern classroom.”
McFarland asks his students to use Google Docs, which allows access to electronic classroom documents through Google. With a recently updated version, students can simultaneously access the same document, meaning one could be writing the paper’s opening, another the body and a third the conclusion, all at the same time.
“They can help each other, which is more assistance than I can provide,” McFarland said. “It’s that collaborative nature that I like a lot, and the district isn’t paying any money to use these servers. It’s all free and will be — knock on wood — forever.”
McFarland created a Facebook page in the days running up to Franklin’s exam week, where his students had the ability to pose questions about homework or review session times.
“I check it almost every time I get on,” said Emily Simpson, a 17-year-old senior in McFarland’s AP history class.
“It definitely feels different in there, but in a good way,” she said of McFarland’s classroom. “It makes you feel like you’re learning at a faster rate.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2871 or asedlak@coxohio.com.
MY THOUGHTS
any takers? i'm thinking. i'm thinking. i like the idea. just don't know yet how i can do the same.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
social nettworking : The Dos and Don’ts of Facebook Dating
The Dos and Don’ts of Facebook Dating
Logging on to find love? Here's how to make a successful connection through social networking
Kimberly Dawn Neumann ON Oct 25, 2010 at 2:56PM
The Dos and Don’ts of Facebook Dating
Tempted to troll Facebook for dates? Experts say you should keep a few key rules in mind. Here, former The Bachelor star Matt Grant (you know, the cute British guy with over 3000 FB friends) and dating guru David Wygant, author of Always Talk to Strangers, share seven cyber-dos and don’ts to help you secure your happy ending. We call it social date-working.
DO: Your Homework
Peruse your list of Facebook pals, then take a peek at their friend lists, suggests Wygant. Intrigued by someone you find there? Instead of shooting over a blind friend request, you can up your chances of a successful love connection by asking your mutual friend about that individual first. Just saying, "What do I have to do to get you to e-troduce us?” is usually enough to get the ball rolling. And don’t be afraid to pick the brain of your friend beforehand. He or she may be able to offer you some interesting tidbits about your new potential lover's personality and lifestyle, and that can help you decide if you’re truly compatible.
DO: Stand Out in the Crowd
Once your friend gives you the heads up, send your new love interest a light FB note like, “Hey, I’m Bill’s friend and I would love to chat if you’re game,” suggests Wygant. But don’t forget to include something of substance in this message, something to bond over. “For example, mention a comment they made on your shared friend’s profile, like, ‘We’re both in total agreement over the healthcare issue,’ or quote something you saw on their profile.” Search for common ground. “That way the initial connection becomes more about meaningful, shared interests -- not simple superficiality like ‘I saw your photo and think you’re hot,’” says Wygant.
DON’T: Come On Too Strong
“You would not believe how many women send me inappropriate photos of themselves via Facebook because of my appearance on The Bachelor,” says Grant, whose TV stint prompted an avalanche of FB friend requests. "It tells me they are likely only interested in appearances -- not a real relationship," he says.
DON’T: Dwell On Rejection
News stories of psychos on the Net can lead even the friendliest of people to throw up their iGuard. If you’re rejected, don’t ruminate, just move on. “People should be allowed to choose whether they accept or deny access without feeling guilty, and anyone on Facebook needs to understand that’s part of the process and not take it personally,” says Grant.
DO: Establish Boundaries
Though you may be tempted by popular apps that display your whereabouts -- Foursquare, anyone? -- when it comes to dating, discretion and privacy are at a premium. Don't advertise your location unless you are prepared to face the conquences, as in, “Why were you at a bar last night when you told me you had a headache and were staying at home?" Take the time to review your Facebook privacy settings, says Wygant. “Less information is always better, since more info can lead to misinterpretation,” he says. “Be as general as possible and only share a few personal tidbits.”
DON’T: Forget the Golden Rule
Be kind out there, and don’t let a snarky status update ruin your chances at love. Words travel fast online, and much like that game of Telephone, where one person whispers something to the next and so on and so forth until suddenly it’s twisted, an ugly word from you could get back to your date and really muck things up. “Let’s say you post that you had a horrible date. Now 300 people can read that update, and one of them could be best friends with the person you went out with, so you're basically publicly shaming somebody,” says Wygant. The bottom line: Speaking ill of others on FB is not an attractive trait.
DO: Give a Guy a Chance
You may prefer only to have Facebook friends whom you’ve met in person. If so, and a stranger reaches out to you, make sure you have a separate, nondescript email address on hand for them, Wygant suggests. That way you can politely write back and say something like, “I'm flattered you took the initiative to friend me, but I keep my Facebook page limited to people I’ve actually met in person, since I post personal information. But if you’d like to tell me a little more about yourself, feel free to email username@dot.com.” It’s a polite way to maintain your privacy, and keeps open the option of social date-working without giving the whole world access to your FB page.
MY THOUGHTS
by far,i have not really heard of anyone who's actually looking for FB dates. well, maybe my circle is past the "seeking" and "running after" games. the rules seem very sensible though.
Logging on to find love? Here's how to make a successful connection through social networking
Kimberly Dawn Neumann ON Oct 25, 2010 at 2:56PM
The Dos and Don’ts of Facebook Dating
Tempted to troll Facebook for dates? Experts say you should keep a few key rules in mind. Here, former The Bachelor star Matt Grant (you know, the cute British guy with over 3000 FB friends) and dating guru David Wygant, author of Always Talk to Strangers, share seven cyber-dos and don’ts to help you secure your happy ending. We call it social date-working.
DO: Your Homework
Peruse your list of Facebook pals, then take a peek at their friend lists, suggests Wygant. Intrigued by someone you find there? Instead of shooting over a blind friend request, you can up your chances of a successful love connection by asking your mutual friend about that individual first. Just saying, "What do I have to do to get you to e-troduce us?” is usually enough to get the ball rolling. And don’t be afraid to pick the brain of your friend beforehand. He or she may be able to offer you some interesting tidbits about your new potential lover's personality and lifestyle, and that can help you decide if you’re truly compatible.
DO: Stand Out in the Crowd
Once your friend gives you the heads up, send your new love interest a light FB note like, “Hey, I’m Bill’s friend and I would love to chat if you’re game,” suggests Wygant. But don’t forget to include something of substance in this message, something to bond over. “For example, mention a comment they made on your shared friend’s profile, like, ‘We’re both in total agreement over the healthcare issue,’ or quote something you saw on their profile.” Search for common ground. “That way the initial connection becomes more about meaningful, shared interests -- not simple superficiality like ‘I saw your photo and think you’re hot,’” says Wygant.
DON’T: Come On Too Strong
“You would not believe how many women send me inappropriate photos of themselves via Facebook because of my appearance on The Bachelor,” says Grant, whose TV stint prompted an avalanche of FB friend requests. "It tells me they are likely only interested in appearances -- not a real relationship," he says.
DON’T: Dwell On Rejection
News stories of psychos on the Net can lead even the friendliest of people to throw up their iGuard. If you’re rejected, don’t ruminate, just move on. “People should be allowed to choose whether they accept or deny access without feeling guilty, and anyone on Facebook needs to understand that’s part of the process and not take it personally,” says Grant.
DO: Establish Boundaries
Though you may be tempted by popular apps that display your whereabouts -- Foursquare, anyone? -- when it comes to dating, discretion and privacy are at a premium. Don't advertise your location unless you are prepared to face the conquences, as in, “Why were you at a bar last night when you told me you had a headache and were staying at home?" Take the time to review your Facebook privacy settings, says Wygant. “Less information is always better, since more info can lead to misinterpretation,” he says. “Be as general as possible and only share a few personal tidbits.”
DON’T: Forget the Golden Rule
Be kind out there, and don’t let a snarky status update ruin your chances at love. Words travel fast online, and much like that game of Telephone, where one person whispers something to the next and so on and so forth until suddenly it’s twisted, an ugly word from you could get back to your date and really muck things up. “Let’s say you post that you had a horrible date. Now 300 people can read that update, and one of them could be best friends with the person you went out with, so you're basically publicly shaming somebody,” says Wygant. The bottom line: Speaking ill of others on FB is not an attractive trait.
DO: Give a Guy a Chance
You may prefer only to have Facebook friends whom you’ve met in person. If so, and a stranger reaches out to you, make sure you have a separate, nondescript email address on hand for them, Wygant suggests. That way you can politely write back and say something like, “I'm flattered you took the initiative to friend me, but I keep my Facebook page limited to people I’ve actually met in person, since I post personal information. But if you’d like to tell me a little more about yourself, feel free to email username@dot.com.” It’s a polite way to maintain your privacy, and keeps open the option of social date-working without giving the whole world access to your FB page.
MY THOUGHTS
by far,i have not really heard of anyone who's actually looking for FB dates. well, maybe my circle is past the "seeking" and "running after" games. the rules seem very sensible though.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
does social networking impact work
Does Social Networking Impact Work? Survey Reports
Social media sites are becoming some of the most heavily trafficked sites on the internet, including in the workplace, according to a recent poll. The survey, conducted by Right Management, gathered data from over 1,000 respondents concerning employee use of social networking sites during work hours.
While about half of the organizations reported blocking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, others have decided to use the social networking sites as a business tool. Organizations are using the sites to reach out to clients, potential customers, employees, and job seekers.
Overall, 18 percent of respondents reported that social networking on the job often interferes with productivity, while 41 percent said that it sometimes does.
The survey also found some interesting statistics comparing the following criteria:
•Company Size: 51% of workers at an organization with 10,000 or more employees responded that it seldom interferes, compared to 41% at smaller organizations.
•Department: 62% of IT professionals said it seldom interferes, compared to 30% of sales professionals who reported that it often interferes.
•Age: 47% of workers aged 35-44 said that it seldom interferes, compared to 35% of those 18-24.
Organizations need to keep up with the growing presence of social media sites. A recent poll by Manpower suggested that as many as 75 percent of employers do not have a formal policy concerning the use of social networking sites. There are social media policies available on HR.BLR.com (subscription or trial-membership required):
MY THOUGHTS
better include this in the policy manual. it can really affect productivity. i think i won't mind when people can still come-up with excellent work even if social networking sites are not barred. but that's rare. i'm pretty sure, excellent professionals won't have time to use facebook at work. they will be too busy producing results.
Social media sites are becoming some of the most heavily trafficked sites on the internet, including in the workplace, according to a recent poll. The survey, conducted by Right Management, gathered data from over 1,000 respondents concerning employee use of social networking sites during work hours.
While about half of the organizations reported blocking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, others have decided to use the social networking sites as a business tool. Organizations are using the sites to reach out to clients, potential customers, employees, and job seekers.
Overall, 18 percent of respondents reported that social networking on the job often interferes with productivity, while 41 percent said that it sometimes does.
The survey also found some interesting statistics comparing the following criteria:
•Company Size: 51% of workers at an organization with 10,000 or more employees responded that it seldom interferes, compared to 41% at smaller organizations.
•Department: 62% of IT professionals said it seldom interferes, compared to 30% of sales professionals who reported that it often interferes.
•Age: 47% of workers aged 35-44 said that it seldom interferes, compared to 35% of those 18-24.
Organizations need to keep up with the growing presence of social media sites. A recent poll by Manpower suggested that as many as 75 percent of employers do not have a formal policy concerning the use of social networking sites. There are social media policies available on HR.BLR.com (subscription or trial-membership required):
MY THOUGHTS
better include this in the policy manual. it can really affect productivity. i think i won't mind when people can still come-up with excellent work even if social networking sites are not barred. but that's rare. i'm pretty sure, excellent professionals won't have time to use facebook at work. they will be too busy producing results.
can facebook hurt relationships
Facebook And Relationships: Is There A Dark Side To Social Media Network Overshare?
By: Wilson Kerr
Every so often a disruptive innovation take root so rapidly that negative sociological impacts are masked by the euphoria of the initial rush to acceptance.
Facebook has over 500 Million users and the average active user spends 55 minutes per day checking or updating their newsfeed. If we assume all users are “active”, this amounts to (the equivalent of) an incredible 52,279 YEARS per day spent on Facebook.
There is no doubt that Facebook has reconnected old friends, served as an easy bridge for quick communication, and allowed people to share their business and personal lives in a new and exciting ways. But is there a societal downside to this torrent of flippant, instantaneous, and often narcissistic overshare? Aside from the security and privacy implications of sharing inappropriate details of location or age or sexuality, there is another element that I am not sure has been explored fully.
Is Facebook causing divorce? Increasing evidence suggests that easy access to out-of-context personal details and feelings from others can become a distraction and temptation that fuels the exploration of unconstructive possibilities by the recipient. Can quickly and easily reconnecting with people from one’s past cause the reawakening of feelings that are out of context and likely irrelevant, yet real and powerful enough to cause marital disruption?
Clearly, Facebook does not cause divorce, as there are any manner of ways to end a marriage, if one is so inclined. But this new form of communication is clearly having some effect on relationships, as it opens a door to the past instantly and fuels communication between people in a radically new way.
While data is as scant as Facebook is new, an article from Australia digs into the issue, stating that, “British divorce firm Divorce-Online said Facebook was cited in one-fifth of the divorce petitions it processed last year…Australian Family Relationships Clearing House manager Elly Robinson said online behavior was causing friction in households. “Relationships develop more quickly online because inhibitions are lowered, it’s easy to exchange information, people are online 24/7, there’s an (endless) amount of people you can link up with who are there for the same reason, real life pressures fade away … it’s a bit of a fantasy world,” she said.
CNET blogger Chris Matyszczyk has written several posts about this subject and, in one, explores the notion of Facebook fueling a sort of addictive jealousy feedback loop, whereby potentially damaging communication is happened upon by one partner, causing a disruptive, endless loop of distrust to form, with Facebook at the center of this storm of discontent.
Obviously, a phone call or an email or letter can accomplish a reconnection to an old flame, if one is so inclined. But Facebook allows this curiosity about the past, and the temptation to explore it, to become actionable in a matter of seconds. Like a magic, instantaneous worldwide time machine Rolodex, complete with photos and (often) intimate details, Facebook fosters connections and the sharing of thoughts and feelings that are perhaps detrimental to one’s current situation, or at least out of context.
The tendency to peek into the lives of others that Facebook fosters is by-design and how Facebook’s business model works. The more “what’s on your mind” thoughts and details shared and read, the more pages viewed, the more ads displayed, the more money Facebook makes ($800 Million annually, at last count). And this is largely positive and benign. But this also can lead to the turning over of emotional rocks from the past, that are sometimes best left undisturbed. People often do not think about how their personally charged thoughts and feelings will affect others, when broadcast to a wide audience, with a range of perspectives and loyalties.
Living in the moment, being present, and looking ahead is not something Americans are particularly good at. We tend to yearn for “days gone by” and wish we had done things differently. We devour nostalgia with an insatiable appetite for “a simpler time”. Classic Coke, The Wonder Years, Happy Days, Back To The Future, That 70's Show…the list goes on and on. Being thoughtful and aware and mindful is very important and this is especially true when communicating with others.
Facebook, on the other hand, tends to encourage flip, often thoughtless interaction and communication that sometimes causes unforeseen harm. A letter can be torn up. A private conversation held in-trust can be kept secret. A harsh exchange can be apologized for and forgotten about. But a Facebook post is different. It can be forwarded and copied and viewed without limit. A flip curiosity about “what might have been” or a personal complaint from the moment, can become locked in and temporary feelings pushed out to others without context are easily mistaken for deeper sentiments.
Those who are divorced can share their personal joy and newfound “freedom” with trusted friends who might be in the throes of a difficult period of their marriage. This overshare of thoughts, photos, and “advice” from those who have not succeeded with the hard work required to keep a marriage intact is often counter-productive and can even be purposefully disruptive.
For a frightening look at just how public Facebook is, try typing the search term (in quotes) “don’t tell anyone” into the Openbook site. This is a live searchable feed of real Facebook posts, created to demonstrate the perils of Facebook overshare.
Facebook is a powerful new social networking took with many benefits. Marriage is not always easy. Both of these statements are true. But all who use Facebook should be mindful of the need to be sensitive to others and use extra care when communicating to your network while temporarily blinded by emotion or distress.
MY THOUGHTS
this is getting really uncomfortable. come to think of it, there's so much truth in this article.
By: Wilson Kerr
Every so often a disruptive innovation take root so rapidly that negative sociological impacts are masked by the euphoria of the initial rush to acceptance.
Facebook has over 500 Million users and the average active user spends 55 minutes per day checking or updating their newsfeed. If we assume all users are “active”, this amounts to (the equivalent of) an incredible 52,279 YEARS per day spent on Facebook.
There is no doubt that Facebook has reconnected old friends, served as an easy bridge for quick communication, and allowed people to share their business and personal lives in a new and exciting ways. But is there a societal downside to this torrent of flippant, instantaneous, and often narcissistic overshare? Aside from the security and privacy implications of sharing inappropriate details of location or age or sexuality, there is another element that I am not sure has been explored fully.
Is Facebook causing divorce? Increasing evidence suggests that easy access to out-of-context personal details and feelings from others can become a distraction and temptation that fuels the exploration of unconstructive possibilities by the recipient. Can quickly and easily reconnecting with people from one’s past cause the reawakening of feelings that are out of context and likely irrelevant, yet real and powerful enough to cause marital disruption?
Clearly, Facebook does not cause divorce, as there are any manner of ways to end a marriage, if one is so inclined. But this new form of communication is clearly having some effect on relationships, as it opens a door to the past instantly and fuels communication between people in a radically new way.
While data is as scant as Facebook is new, an article from Australia digs into the issue, stating that, “British divorce firm Divorce-Online said Facebook was cited in one-fifth of the divorce petitions it processed last year…Australian Family Relationships Clearing House manager Elly Robinson said online behavior was causing friction in households. “Relationships develop more quickly online because inhibitions are lowered, it’s easy to exchange information, people are online 24/7, there’s an (endless) amount of people you can link up with who are there for the same reason, real life pressures fade away … it’s a bit of a fantasy world,” she said.
CNET blogger Chris Matyszczyk has written several posts about this subject and, in one, explores the notion of Facebook fueling a sort of addictive jealousy feedback loop, whereby potentially damaging communication is happened upon by one partner, causing a disruptive, endless loop of distrust to form, with Facebook at the center of this storm of discontent.
Obviously, a phone call or an email or letter can accomplish a reconnection to an old flame, if one is so inclined. But Facebook allows this curiosity about the past, and the temptation to explore it, to become actionable in a matter of seconds. Like a magic, instantaneous worldwide time machine Rolodex, complete with photos and (often) intimate details, Facebook fosters connections and the sharing of thoughts and feelings that are perhaps detrimental to one’s current situation, or at least out of context.
The tendency to peek into the lives of others that Facebook fosters is by-design and how Facebook’s business model works. The more “what’s on your mind” thoughts and details shared and read, the more pages viewed, the more ads displayed, the more money Facebook makes ($800 Million annually, at last count). And this is largely positive and benign. But this also can lead to the turning over of emotional rocks from the past, that are sometimes best left undisturbed. People often do not think about how their personally charged thoughts and feelings will affect others, when broadcast to a wide audience, with a range of perspectives and loyalties.
Living in the moment, being present, and looking ahead is not something Americans are particularly good at. We tend to yearn for “days gone by” and wish we had done things differently. We devour nostalgia with an insatiable appetite for “a simpler time”. Classic Coke, The Wonder Years, Happy Days, Back To The Future, That 70's Show…the list goes on and on. Being thoughtful and aware and mindful is very important and this is especially true when communicating with others.
Facebook, on the other hand, tends to encourage flip, often thoughtless interaction and communication that sometimes causes unforeseen harm. A letter can be torn up. A private conversation held in-trust can be kept secret. A harsh exchange can be apologized for and forgotten about. But a Facebook post is different. It can be forwarded and copied and viewed without limit. A flip curiosity about “what might have been” or a personal complaint from the moment, can become locked in and temporary feelings pushed out to others without context are easily mistaken for deeper sentiments.
Those who are divorced can share their personal joy and newfound “freedom” with trusted friends who might be in the throes of a difficult period of their marriage. This overshare of thoughts, photos, and “advice” from those who have not succeeded with the hard work required to keep a marriage intact is often counter-productive and can even be purposefully disruptive.
For a frightening look at just how public Facebook is, try typing the search term (in quotes) “don’t tell anyone” into the Openbook site. This is a live searchable feed of real Facebook posts, created to demonstrate the perils of Facebook overshare.
Facebook is a powerful new social networking took with many benefits. Marriage is not always easy. Both of these statements are true. But all who use Facebook should be mindful of the need to be sensitive to others and use extra care when communicating to your network while temporarily blinded by emotion or distress.
MY THOUGHTS
this is getting really uncomfortable. come to think of it, there's so much truth in this article.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
can facebook cost you your job?
‘My Facebook page cost me the job?!’
May 17, 2010 by Jared Bilski
At the very least, most employers peek at a candidates’ social networking profile in the selection process. So what turns them off the most?
A recent CareerBuilder study found that over one-third (35%) of hiring managers found content on job seekers’ social networking sites that reflected poorly on them.
The most prevalent examples included:
» Provocative or inappropriate photos or info from job seekers (53%)
» Content about job seekers drinking or using drugs (44%)
» Bad-mouthing a previous company, co-workers or clients (35%)
» Poor communication skills (29%)
» Discriminatory comments by job seeker (26%)
» Falsifying qualifications (24%), and
» Confidential info from previous employer on a job seeker’s page (20%).
Despite the fact that an increasing number of employers are using social networking sites to check up on prospective employees, many feel the practice violates individuals’ privacy rights.
Readers, what do you think? Should employers base hiring decisions on what they see on candidates’ social-networking sites? Does your company? Let us know in the Comments section.
MY THOUGHTS
well, well, well! not a bad idea. google the applicants? hmmmm.
May 17, 2010 by Jared Bilski
At the very least, most employers peek at a candidates’ social networking profile in the selection process. So what turns them off the most?
A recent CareerBuilder study found that over one-third (35%) of hiring managers found content on job seekers’ social networking sites that reflected poorly on them.
The most prevalent examples included:
» Provocative or inappropriate photos or info from job seekers (53%)
» Content about job seekers drinking or using drugs (44%)
» Bad-mouthing a previous company, co-workers or clients (35%)
» Poor communication skills (29%)
» Discriminatory comments by job seeker (26%)
» Falsifying qualifications (24%), and
» Confidential info from previous employer on a job seeker’s page (20%).
Despite the fact that an increasing number of employers are using social networking sites to check up on prospective employees, many feel the practice violates individuals’ privacy rights.
Readers, what do you think? Should employers base hiring decisions on what they see on candidates’ social-networking sites? Does your company? Let us know in the Comments section.
MY THOUGHTS
well, well, well! not a bad idea. google the applicants? hmmmm.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Privacy is Dead: How to Network Now
Privacy is Dead: How To Network Now
By Linda Stern
Facebook recently changed its privacy settings and started pasting personal data all over the web, prompting some users to quit the site and many more to scrub their profiles of interesting bits. Google “accidentally” collected massive amounts of random personal data while its roving vans were supposed to be mapping streets. A waitress in North Carolina was fired after she used her status update to complain about a lousy tip. Oh… and your underwear is showing.
Just kidding about that last one, but these are clearly tough times for people who care about their privacy. These events should force us all to accept the truth: It’s over. If you’re using Facebook, Google, Twitter, a credit card, an online banking site, or any networked computer you’ve already got billions of bits of data floating everywhere. And that data is handled and massaged by thousands of clerks, coders, advertising consultants, and random wastepaper-basket emptiers. Even if everyone involved aims to “do no evil” as Google’s motto claims, mistakes happen.
So it falls to you to try to make sure those mistakes — or outright thefts — don’t hurt you. That doesn’t mean going net free or even living off of the social networking grid; that’s just too big a sacrifice for most people. But it does mean being more judicious about how your info is handled. And it also means choosing what to worry about and what not to worry about. Here are some recommendations:
Worry about your financial data. Use only the most trustworthy banking and financial management sites, and monitor your accounts regularly to make sure that there isn’t any unauthorized access going on. CBS MoneyWatch has produced an excellent guide to protecting your financial identity.
Accept some lack of privacy for the rest of your data. It’s the price you’ll pay for online fun and convenience. Does it matter if everyone knows you’re a soccer player or gardener or lover of old school hip hop music? Maybe not. But do you want to “like” particular products or companies that will use your click as an unpaid endorsement? If you suspect that publicizing your strong political opinions or your costly stored-at-home gold coin collection could be dangerous to your career or safety, keep them off of your social profiles.
Check your Facebook settings. A nifty new program called Privacy Scanner can check your Facebook settings to make sure they’re set to the tightest levels. But don’t get too comfortable. Facebook has shown it considers privacy settings a fleeting choice. Assume that anything you’ve ever posted on the site could eventually be made public.
Be business savvy. It’s good to have some workplace friends and business colleagues as online friends. It makes you seem more like a well-rounded person and can help you build connections with people who might hire you or throw business your way in the future. But don’t grouse about work or customers on Facebook or Twitter, and don’t annoy your ‘friends’ by simply promoting your company with every post.
Limit your photo fun. People who aren’t your friends can often see pictures of you. Even though you can restrict the distribution of pictures you post yourself through your privacy settings in Facebook, other people can post pictures of you that can become public. Furthermore, both Twitter and Facebook consider themselves owners of the photos you post. So skip the beer pong shots and reserve that pole-dancing episode for your boyfriend, and only then if you really trust him to never break up with you and post it himself.
MY THOUGTHS
it's really very unsettling when someone else posts your pics for everyone else to see. i think there should be a rule that we should ask permission first before posting pics with others on it. or maybe just don't tag the pics. i used to just post pics mysef not knowing that i should change the privacy settings. now i know a better.
By Linda Stern
Facebook recently changed its privacy settings and started pasting personal data all over the web, prompting some users to quit the site and many more to scrub their profiles of interesting bits. Google “accidentally” collected massive amounts of random personal data while its roving vans were supposed to be mapping streets. A waitress in North Carolina was fired after she used her status update to complain about a lousy tip. Oh… and your underwear is showing.
Just kidding about that last one, but these are clearly tough times for people who care about their privacy. These events should force us all to accept the truth: It’s over. If you’re using Facebook, Google, Twitter, a credit card, an online banking site, or any networked computer you’ve already got billions of bits of data floating everywhere. And that data is handled and massaged by thousands of clerks, coders, advertising consultants, and random wastepaper-basket emptiers. Even if everyone involved aims to “do no evil” as Google’s motto claims, mistakes happen.
So it falls to you to try to make sure those mistakes — or outright thefts — don’t hurt you. That doesn’t mean going net free or even living off of the social networking grid; that’s just too big a sacrifice for most people. But it does mean being more judicious about how your info is handled. And it also means choosing what to worry about and what not to worry about. Here are some recommendations:
Worry about your financial data. Use only the most trustworthy banking and financial management sites, and monitor your accounts regularly to make sure that there isn’t any unauthorized access going on. CBS MoneyWatch has produced an excellent guide to protecting your financial identity.
Accept some lack of privacy for the rest of your data. It’s the price you’ll pay for online fun and convenience. Does it matter if everyone knows you’re a soccer player or gardener or lover of old school hip hop music? Maybe not. But do you want to “like” particular products or companies that will use your click as an unpaid endorsement? If you suspect that publicizing your strong political opinions or your costly stored-at-home gold coin collection could be dangerous to your career or safety, keep them off of your social profiles.
Check your Facebook settings. A nifty new program called Privacy Scanner can check your Facebook settings to make sure they’re set to the tightest levels. But don’t get too comfortable. Facebook has shown it considers privacy settings a fleeting choice. Assume that anything you’ve ever posted on the site could eventually be made public.
Be business savvy. It’s good to have some workplace friends and business colleagues as online friends. It makes you seem more like a well-rounded person and can help you build connections with people who might hire you or throw business your way in the future. But don’t grouse about work or customers on Facebook or Twitter, and don’t annoy your ‘friends’ by simply promoting your company with every post.
Limit your photo fun. People who aren’t your friends can often see pictures of you. Even though you can restrict the distribution of pictures you post yourself through your privacy settings in Facebook, other people can post pictures of you that can become public. Furthermore, both Twitter and Facebook consider themselves owners of the photos you post. So skip the beer pong shots and reserve that pole-dancing episode for your boyfriend, and only then if you really trust him to never break up with you and post it himself.
MY THOUGTHS
it's really very unsettling when someone else posts your pics for everyone else to see. i think there should be a rule that we should ask permission first before posting pics with others on it. or maybe just don't tag the pics. i used to just post pics mysef not knowing that i should change the privacy settings. now i know a better.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
6 Things You Should Never Reveal on Facebook
6 Things You Should Never Reveal on Facebook
By Kathy Kristof
The whole social networking phenomenon has millions of Americans sharing their photos, favorite songs and details about their class reunions on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and dozens of similar sites. But there are a handful of personal details that you should never say if you don’t want criminals — cyber or otherwise — to rob you blind, according to Beth Givens, executive director of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.
The folks at Insure.com also say that ill-advised Facebook postings increasingly can get your insurance cancelled or cause you to pay dramatically more for everything from auto to life insurance coverage. By now almost everybody knows that those drunken party photos could cost you a job, too.
You can certainly enjoy networking and sharing photos, but you should know that sharing some information puts you at risk. What should you never say on Facebook, Twitter or any other social networking site?
Your birth date and place. Sure, you can say what day you were born, but if you provide the year and where you were born too, you’ve just given identity thieves a key to stealing your financial life, said Givens. A study done by Carnegie Mellon showed that a date and place of birth could be used to predict most — and sometimes all — of the numbers in your Social Security number, she said.
Vacation plans. There may be a better way to say “Rob me, please” than posting something along the lines of: “Count-down to Maui! Two days and Ritz Carlton, here we come!” on Twitter. But it’s hard to think of one. Post the photos on Facebook when you return, if you like. But don’t invite criminals in by telling them specifically when you’ll be gone.
Home address. Do I have to elaborate? A study recently released by the Ponemon Institute found that users of Social Media sites were at greater risk of physical and identity theft because of the information they were sharing. Some 40% listed their home address on the sites; 65% didn’t even attempt to block out strangers with privacy settings. And 60% said they weren’t confident that their “friends” were really just people they know.
Confessionals. You may hate your job; lie on your taxes; or be a recreational user of illicit drugs, but this is no place to confess. Employers commonly peruse social networking sites to determine who to hire — and, sometimes, who to fire. Need proof? In just the past few weeks, an emergency dispatcher was fired in Wisconsin for revealing drug use; a waitress got canned for complaining about customers and the Pittsburgh Pirate’s mascot was dumped for bashing the team on Facebook. One study done last year estimated that 8% of companies fired someone for “misuse” of social media.
Password clues. If you’ve got online accounts, you’ve probably answered a dozen different security questions, telling your bank or brokerage firm your Mom’s maiden name; the church you were married in; or the name of your favorite song. Got that same stuff on the information page of your Facebook profile? You’re giving crooks an easy way to guess your passwords.
Risky behaviors. You take your classic Camaro out for street racing, soar above the hills in a hang glider, or smoke like a chimney? Insurers are increasingly turning to the web to figure out whether their applicants and customers are putting their lives or property at risk, according to Insure.com. So far, there’s no efficient way to collect the data, so cancellations and rate hikes are rare. But the technology is fast evolving, according to a paper written by Celent, a financial services research and consulting firm.
MY THOUGHTS
it's fun, isn't it? all these networki g sites where you get to link up with all those people and friends. i'm getting a little uneasy though. i googled myself and i just realized that losing your privacy may not be my cup of tea afterall. well, i still like getting in touch with friends - but not the world (haha). these tips are worth remembering.
By Kathy Kristof
The whole social networking phenomenon has millions of Americans sharing their photos, favorite songs and details about their class reunions on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and dozens of similar sites. But there are a handful of personal details that you should never say if you don’t want criminals — cyber or otherwise — to rob you blind, according to Beth Givens, executive director of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.
The folks at Insure.com also say that ill-advised Facebook postings increasingly can get your insurance cancelled or cause you to pay dramatically more for everything from auto to life insurance coverage. By now almost everybody knows that those drunken party photos could cost you a job, too.
You can certainly enjoy networking and sharing photos, but you should know that sharing some information puts you at risk. What should you never say on Facebook, Twitter or any other social networking site?
Your birth date and place. Sure, you can say what day you were born, but if you provide the year and where you were born too, you’ve just given identity thieves a key to stealing your financial life, said Givens. A study done by Carnegie Mellon showed that a date and place of birth could be used to predict most — and sometimes all — of the numbers in your Social Security number, she said.
Vacation plans. There may be a better way to say “Rob me, please” than posting something along the lines of: “Count-down to Maui! Two days and Ritz Carlton, here we come!” on Twitter. But it’s hard to think of one. Post the photos on Facebook when you return, if you like. But don’t invite criminals in by telling them specifically when you’ll be gone.
Home address. Do I have to elaborate? A study recently released by the Ponemon Institute found that users of Social Media sites were at greater risk of physical and identity theft because of the information they were sharing. Some 40% listed their home address on the sites; 65% didn’t even attempt to block out strangers with privacy settings. And 60% said they weren’t confident that their “friends” were really just people they know.
Confessionals. You may hate your job; lie on your taxes; or be a recreational user of illicit drugs, but this is no place to confess. Employers commonly peruse social networking sites to determine who to hire — and, sometimes, who to fire. Need proof? In just the past few weeks, an emergency dispatcher was fired in Wisconsin for revealing drug use; a waitress got canned for complaining about customers and the Pittsburgh Pirate’s mascot was dumped for bashing the team on Facebook. One study done last year estimated that 8% of companies fired someone for “misuse” of social media.
Password clues. If you’ve got online accounts, you’ve probably answered a dozen different security questions, telling your bank or brokerage firm your Mom’s maiden name; the church you were married in; or the name of your favorite song. Got that same stuff on the information page of your Facebook profile? You’re giving crooks an easy way to guess your passwords.
Risky behaviors. You take your classic Camaro out for street racing, soar above the hills in a hang glider, or smoke like a chimney? Insurers are increasingly turning to the web to figure out whether their applicants and customers are putting their lives or property at risk, according to Insure.com. So far, there’s no efficient way to collect the data, so cancellations and rate hikes are rare. But the technology is fast evolving, according to a paper written by Celent, a financial services research and consulting firm.
MY THOUGHTS
it's fun, isn't it? all these networki g sites where you get to link up with all those people and friends. i'm getting a little uneasy though. i googled myself and i just realized that losing your privacy may not be my cup of tea afterall. well, i still like getting in touch with friends - but not the world (haha). these tips are worth remembering.
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