Secrets Not for Facebook

Social networkingis all the rage. Almost every face-to-face conversation includes what people heard or saw on Facebook. How did we find out things before Facebook?

I have found that I can join/enter many other online sites just because of my involvement with Facebook. In fact, I can automatically have everything I post elsewhere on a blog, twitter or elsewhere to show up on my wall on Facebook.

I am getting just a little bit concerned that we are going overboard with FACEBOOK. The ways things are going, pretty soon I will know what I am just about to do on Facebook!

A little caution needs to be expressed herein. In the olden days, we used gossip to spread the word.

Oftentimes by the time the word had gone around the neighborhood, the facts had all become twisted and someone got burned.

Could this same thing happen on Facebook? Probably already has happened. Wait, are you accusing me of being overly dramatic about this?

I might think too much is shared on Facebook, but there are some groups who feel that Facebook won't allow them to share enough.

A group of lactivists (around 7000 members named themselves) were upset that pictures of mothers breast feeding their children were taken off from Facebook.

Facebook claimed that it was a violation of their Terms of Agreement by showing an exposed breast. One lactivist questioned where the breast stopped and the boob began - at the nipple?

Several of the group had their membership permanently revoked because of the incident. Facebook reconsidered and made it the user's responsibile to restrict public access to their images through privacy settings.

It seems such a small thing, right? You can mostly go out in public and find a mother nursing her baby and no one gasps or forces them out.

We could go back and forth on this - just like any other subject which has two sides. But for sure, we do need to use caution when we decide to put it all out there. Facebook has made some terms we agreed to and hope they are holding up their end of the agreement. Are we?

Here are a few secrets that are best left off Facebook and given privately to a friend or family member:

Year of graduation from high school or college. I know, you have just joined in with several of your old classmates and are having a ball getting caught up. However, scammers can pretend to be former classmates and work themselves into your life.

Mother's maiden name (Duh!) Okay, you know why that one is important not to share. This is one of the first things stalkers will try to get because they can then get into an account of yours.

I have noticed that people like to help others on Facebook by referring dentists and doctors. That is so nice, right?

If a scammer were to learn where you receive your medical treatment, he might then be able to get your insurance information. Another less fortunate person who has no health insurance could pose as you to get treatment.

Travel plans. Several times I have noticed friends posting every stop they make on their trip. We are now in New York - it is fantastic, or other vacation details, forgetting that they have just announced that they are not home.

Your Valuables. Burglars would love this kind of information. Also, do not discuss any valuables that you may own, including jewelry, antiques, or brag about your latest purchase.

You may never have experienced identity theft, but if you continue sharing your birth date and/or address, you may soon know how it feels. I have experienced a couple of stalkers myself just because they found out I was an artist. You can read my blog about that scary ordeal below.

There are professional networking sites which can help with your business, but if you are not careful, it can work against you. Remember disgruntled employees and their revenge in recent times. Also competitors may be looking at your information too, so use discretion when participating.

Another word of advice is in regards to accepting friend requests. I know it can be an ego builder to have 5000 friends on your facebook list, but how much do you really know about them. Once you have friended them, they can see whatever you choose to share.

So, in conclusion, if you ever feel inclined to give your personal information, feelings, experiences, etc. on Facebook, do yourself a favor and do it the old-fashioned way - face to face.