However, there are many very troubling aspects of facebook. To
keep this post short, I will focus on just one: teens and preteens growing up
IN FRONT OF THE WORLD. Teens, perhaps more-so than adults, happen to be very
trustworthy of social networking sites. I suppose that is because of two
elements:
1. They grew up in this digital world, and so facebook to
them would be what my diary and photo album was to me as a teenager.
2. Teens are naïve due
to an immature brain (literally) and lack of experience in life.
I am constantly in awe at the gull teens have when posting
on their statuses their personal business, photos and grotesque language. I’m
the first to admit I was NO ANGEL as a teen. But only a handful of friends were
a witness to my behavior. All of the incidents were isolated by time and the
number of people who knew. The only way my parents or any gown up could find
out about my mischief, was if someone told on me, and then it would still be
their word against mine. But with facebook, the information is out there, and
is owned by facebook.com. Any status update can be used against you, whether it’s
now of in the future.
Facebook has revolutionized growing up. Many times I have
checked my homepage and seen grotesque language and pictures posted by youth
who are either my family or acquaintances. Other times, the postings are not
grotesque, but they are deeply personal. They say things that I know the young
person would not want thousands of people to know. But the truth is, unless you
only have a friend list only of people you talk to on an everyday basis, you
should not post these type of things because facebook’s privacy is very NOT
private. Ever Google your name and see your profile pic? Even with the security
settings, we must be more aware.
And it’s not just teens. I was just thinking how I’ve been “friending”
a lot of Muslim Sisters – at least they say they’re Muslim sister hmm? - on my
page. I do not personally know most of these sisters, yet they can view
pictures of my baby shower and 2010 vacation. Would I show a stranger my hardcopy
photo album? No, I would not. But I figure since I’m covered up, it okay. But,
is it okay? Or is it just the norm that we’ve gotten used to in this digital
age where private is now public and public is worldwide?
Food for thought.
