Social Networks: TMI Online?

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SHELLEY LIN
Staff Writer

According to CNN, since 2012, approximately one in four people around the world have used social networking sites to save themselves from boredom by connecting with others online, and, unfortunately, sometimes with strangers.

With the growing popularity of social media, the Pew Research Center states that 89 percent of social network users use these sites to keep up with family and friends, 57 percent to make plans with loved ones and 49 percent to make new friends.

When surfing the Internet, it is evident that much of the information that was once considered private is slowly turning public. However, is it necessary to share such invasive information with the rest of the world?

Hannah Anderson, a 16-year-old girl who lives in San Diego County, California, was kidnapped by James Lee DiMaggio. When Anderson was later safely brought back home, she began to answer questions from Ask.fm, one of the current popular socializing sites where users answer questions from anonymous people.

These questions, later publicized for its explicit details, ranged from the survival of her captivity to other aspects of her personal life. Anderson’s ask.fm account was eventually disabled, but her answers have been read and the entire answer thread can be found with a simple search on Google.

When any information is shared online, it is forever saved and can be traced back to the person who posted the information. Words and images may remain on the Internet for long periods of time, available for scrutiny by identity thieves, ‘spammers’ and stalkers. For instance, sharing where you live, your phone number and other personal information can put your safety at risk.

However, it isn’t safe to share too much information online since it can spread like wildfire to strangers. Thing that are too personal should be kept private from strangers instead of posting it online.

In today’s society, limiting the availability of personal information is very crucial as dangerous situations can happen when least expected.