If you don't want your mom or your boss to see it, don't
post it.
Facebook, MySpace, and a host of other virtual network
communities have changed the fabric of Internet communication.
Below is a top-ten list of comments from students who use Facebook
religiously. The comments reflect on how they view some students'
profiles and their online behavior. The students represent a cross
section from the universities across the nation.
- Do not put up pictures of yourself shirtless, in your fruit
of the looms, in your tiniest bikini, sexy lingerie, or buck
naked and mooning the camera. Is this the way you really want to
present yourself to others? Your online photo makes an important
statement about you. The old adage of "a picture is worth a
thousand words" holds a lot of truth in the way you present
yourself to the public.
- Do not put up pictures of yourself drinking, doing drugs, or
doing something illegal. The same goes for bragging online about
your drinking, bingeing, or smoking habits, or how many times
you've hooked up. People develop opinions of the type of person
you really are. Think carefully about how people might perceive
you. What type of reputation do you want to build for yourself?
How will this affect you if you are trying to get a really great
job or internship? Law enforcement agencies can also use this
information when investigating a potential crime.
- Don't forget to insert a picture of yourself. The same goes
if you put up a picture of your favorite actor/actress, or world
federation wrestling star as your main profile picture. Others
really do want to know what you look like. Put your best self
forward. If you don't own a digital camera, ask a friend who
owns one to take a picture of you, or scan in one of your
favorites.
- Do not try to "friend" the entire campus. Yeah, it may be
cool to have 2,516 friends on your wall, but do you really know
who they are? Be choosey in who you add to your wall.
- Do not "Poke" someone unless you are serious about getting to
know them.
- Be careful what you say. What you say in the cyber world
stays in the cyber world for all to see. The Internet is a public
domain, nothing is truly private.
- Do not dedicate your Facebook to your boyfriend/girlfriend.
No one wants to hear sappy confessions of undying love for
someone you've only dated a few weeks. Furthermore, what happens
if and when the relationship is over?
- Don't overdose on the quotes section. It's corny and most
often people don't care which quotes you like the best. Only put
up a few that have significant meaning for you.
- Never include "Whatever I can get" in your dating status.
That makes you look desperate, and the least thing you want to
look is desperate.
- Just because you deleted the nasty pictures or your boastful
drinking conquests from your profile doesn't mean that they are
gone from the prying eyes of the Internet. The Internet is
notorious for caching; that is, even if you delete information,
it can still be found because it has been saved or stored online
someplace, and when someone "Googles" your name, it shows up like
the green fuzz on moldy bread.
A good rule of thumb to remember: If you don't want Grandma, Mom
or Dad to see it, don't post it!
This article is intended for informational purposes only.
Comments, questions, and concerns about this article can be sent to
the NDSU IT Security Officer, Theresa Semmens, at theresa.semmens@ndsu.edu
NDSU acknowledges that social networking Web sites (i.e., Bebo,
Facebook, Friendster, LiveJournal, MySpace, Xanga, XuQa) and blogs
can provide a positive outlet to develop connections with others
and maintain contact with friends or colleagues from a distance.
When used correctly and with caution, they can be wonderful tools.
If used carelessly, they can result in negative consequences or
even make individuals target(s) for people who prey on the
unsuspecting.
Members of the University community (students, faculty, and
staff) are urged to use discretion and caution when creating and
updating their profile information. Remember that what is posted
online is accessible to anyone, literally around the world,
including employers, university officials, and law enforcement
agencies. Think carefully about posting personal information such
as address, birth date, class schedule, or work hours, and pictures
that create a negative image of you. Monitor your information
closely and frequently to ensure the things posted by you, or by
others about you, are contributing to your personal and
professional success.
The Good, the Bad, the Ugly:
Virtual Social Network Communities