REAL LIFE

The Do's and Don'ts of Facebook and Myspace

By Kimberly, age 19, California
Sweet Designs Staff Intern
Sweet Designs Featured Writer

Social networking sites have become a huge thing over the last 6 years or so, especially Facebook and Myspace. With sites such as these there are certain things people like ourselves should be aware of - specifically, what to put on these sites and what not to put there. Networking sites are very good for catching up with old friends, posting pictures, etc. However, there are certain things that should not be posted because you might have a future employer that will check your page just to see what you're all about. What's more, if you have stuff that shouldn't be on there then you might not get the job in the first place.

It seems sites like Facebook and Myspace have completely taken over this generation, where everything we say and do is either on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, or another networking site.* There is a certain protocol to observe when on these sites. Here is my list of things I think are important to DO and NOT DO when on social networking sites:

Do / Can Do:

* Post things that you like/dislike

* Bio (but not personal information noted below)

* Pictures (so people can see what you look like)

* Update your status about what's going on in your life

Do Not:

* Post personal information (like family name, phone number, address, school name, or specific places you'll be at certain times)

* Post pictures or info you would not want your mom or dad to see

* Post pictures or info that might make you look bad to your current / future employer or school

* Add people you don't know or agree to meet up with them

* Hand out your password to ANYONE, even a friend or bf, or use an obvious password


This is just a brief list of what you should and should not do on these sites; it is just a guide to help you out when you're on them. These sites are really good - don't get me wrong - but remember that there are people in the world who are looking to harm others. The main thing to always remember is to be safe when on the sites and make good choices about what to put online and what not to put there.

So be careful and have fun meeting new people and old friends alike. :)

XOXO
Kimberly


*Editor's Note: We say we are concerned with the invasion of our privacy and having very personal information about ourselves available to whomever wants it. Yet, as Kimberly points out, it seems that at least part of the fault is our own. We post information and photos we think only our "real friends" will ever see, but in fact they may be viewed by prospective colleges, employers, our "enemies", and an assortment of "creepy guys". I think if we could meet in person all our actual and potential viewers, we'd be a lot more careful about what we posted, as well as how easily most anyone can "become our friend" and obtain access. Privacy settings, by themselves, do not insure privacy, as they easy to bypass if we are not vigilant.

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