FACEBOOK

A closer look at Facebook
By Charlene Johnson

The social website Facebook has transformed the way people use the internet to connect with others.  The successor to such sites as MySpace and Friendster, over 70 million people worldwide have a Facebook profile.

Despite its popularity, the social networking site has been the subject of much controversy, specifically concerning privacy issues.  Like never before, users are making private information public.  Oftentimes, this information is also made available to third parties and people they barely know.  As one can imagine, a public domain such as Facebook can never be private, and this can pose problems in serious matters.  Recently, Toronto Police intervened when users flocked to the site to comment on a murder still under investigation.  The identity of the young victim was revealed in comments posted on the wall, even before it was revealed to the media.  The comments interfered with the investigation and had to be removed by Facebook staff.

So what’s the appeal of Facebook?  Perhaps it’s the idea that people feel constantly connected to others in some way, even electronically. Who can forget that Facebook allowed Get in the Loop members across Canada to connect with each other, with a group page that keeps everyone informed and allows for discussions.  I personally noticed that a Facebook email is more efficient than other emails.  It is for this reason that Get in the Loop has been using Facebook to communicate with its members between publications.  To protect our members from exploitation, we formed ‘a closed group’.

Simply typing the word lupus in the search bar brings up dozens of groups claiming to support the cause.  It is then up to users to decipher which of those groups are worthwhile.  Some would use the name of a good cause to hide other intentions. 
           
There are ways to have fun with Facebook and protect yourself:

• Consider what information is posted on your page.  Your address, phone number, and employment history don’t belong there.  People can take information from your profile to use your identity.
• Review and adjust your privacy settings to ensure that the people with full access to your page are only people you know well.
• Be skeptical when joining groups or adding applications.  By joining you are showing affiliation and support for ideas expressed, and/or agreeing to third-party statistics.
• Remember that awareness groups, such as those for lupus awareness often inadvertently suggest that you have that illness or disability.  Keep this in mind if you are not usually one to disclose your illness to others.
• Joining a group should not require you to divulge financial information or make donations.  An ‘awareness’ group that claims to raise money for its cause is likely too good to be true.

A rule-of-thumb is to ask yourself this question:  If I were to meet these people in public, would I share this information about myself with them?  If the answer is no, then it doesn’t belong on your profile.  Facebook can be a lot of fun, but as with any internet site, it must be used wisely.