I an relatively new to on-line social networking and sites like Facebook. I never got into Myspace or any of the other social networking sites. I did enter my details on Linkedin, but hardly use it. I did add my details on FriendsReunited and, subsequently, GenesReunited, but that’s another story.
So why Facebook? No more reason than a friend mentioned that she was adding her details to it, so I thought I would give it a go.
That was about a month ago. What I hadn’t realised was how big a phenomenon Facebook has become. It is also no longer just a social networking site, but, some would contend, a business (net)working site (see JP Rangaswami’s blog – www.confusedofcalcutta.com).
This is all very well, but there are some problems:
- If someone wants to see details of anyone on Facebook, they must have an account.
- Some networks, groups and individuals restrict their activities to friends and members. To join some business and college networks, you need the correct email address. You can’t view the activities in those networks without one.
- Some companies and organizations are banning Facebook (and other social networking sites), such as Credit Suisse and Dresdner Kleinwort. Others are using internet filters to block access t0 social networking sites (e.g, Metropolitan Police, British Gas and Lloyds TSB). Some are telling employees that it is a sackable offence to access such sites during working hours.
- Not everyone wants their “life” exposed to view through such sites. On Facebook I have 7 friends (including 2 nieces). “Billy no mates”; that’s me! That isn’t quite true; I have other friends who:
- Don’t use PCs everyday. In fact, some wouldn’t have a clue how to open a text message on a mobile phone, never mind set up an account on Facebook!
- Want to become or stay anonymous. Having a mobile phone number is as much as they can handle!
- Only want to share their lives with friends that they socialise with on a ”real” rather than “virtual” basis.
- Do not want to meet up with “friends” from the past. If they were true friends, they would have stayed in touch.
- Are afraid of having their information available to scrutiny (and by whom). Perhaps they have good reason. In July, Oxford University Officials searched Facebook for information after receiving complaints of unruly behaviour during traditional end of year “thrashings”. They used postings from the site to identify and then fine students who had taken part.
- The information in Facebook cannot be trusted.
- People lie / embellish the truth.
- People create accounts for people who don’t exist or false accounts in the name of celebrities.
- People don’t keep their profiles up to date.
(Ok. Some of this is not just true of social networking sites. When you meet people socially, read someone’s blog or CV, you have no way of knowing what they say about themselves is true. People embellish their lives to get a step higher up the social ladder, to try and get that better paid job, or just to impress.)
- Users of Facebook cannot be trusted. There have been stories of social networking sites being used by criminals intent on such things as identity theft.
- Facebook cannot be trusted. This may be an unsubstantiated conspiracy theory, but there are those that believe Facebook is run by the CIA or US Dapertment of Defence (see http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZMWz3G_gPhU).
- Facebook messages cannot be trusted. According to research by HP, 43% of facebook messages are spam (see http://plentyoffish.wordpress.com/2007/03/27/43-of-facebook-messages-are-spam-according-to-research-paper/). In the last few days I have received friend requests from people I have never heard of. Maybe I am being paranoid, but I’m thinking spam. When I receive a message from a friend to, say, support a cause, how can I be sure it is genuine?
- Facebook groups cannot be trusted. Have you mysteriously become a member of a group with a name like “FREE CRUISE TO BAHAMAS”, “FREE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS”? These groups contain links to spam websites.
- People are fickle. Friendsreunited one minute, Myspace the next, and now Facebook. What will it be next year?
Social networking isn’t something new. People have always done it. whether it be in a pub, bar or club, writing letters, at parties, at work, at school or college, playing sports etc. Facebook (and others) bring modern technology into play, including more spam.
