Personal Privacy Issues
As a child my parents taught me valuable rules: how to carry cash discreetly, what to do if you think you’re being followed, and of course to mind my manners. Social media presents an entirely new challenge, not only to parents, but to any adult or teen trying to traverse Web 2.0.
In our house we had a saying, “Don’t do anything that you don’t want to have to explain to Grandma.” It seems simple enough. If you don’t want people to find out what you’re doing, don’t do it in the first place. Google’s Chief Executive, Eric Schmidt, made a similar remark last year. More recently he stated that perhaps young people should change their names to disassociate themselves from colorful, online pasts.
The debate rages. Sites like Google provide clear benefits; maps, free email, world-class search engine results. Yet Google’s ethics are questioned when it comes to saving search records for several months, collecting Wi-Fi data, and scanning emails for keywords used to personalize advertising. Google has an incredible knack for solving technical problems without fully considering ethics.
Then again, who’s at fault for you getting drunk, taking compromising pictures of yourself, and posting them online? Is it Facebook’s fault if you post too much information about yourself and end up fired, not hired, or embarrassed? Do you really need Google or facebook to stop you from making a fool of yourself? If you wouldn’t want it on a billboard in Times Square, don’t put it online.
Human Resource, Reconnaissance Missions
According to an article from thejobshopper.com, earlier this year, “Recent studies confirm that over half of employers check their job candidates’ social media profiles and activities before making a hiring decision.” Job Shopper lists several ways social media is used in hiring decisions. First, to check education claims and job history. Second, inferences are made based on compromising photos. Potential employers may also look for negative comments about past employers or coworkers, and look for prejudiced or discriminatory remarks.
Matt Warman, writing for readwriteweb.com cites Sir Tim Berners-Lee as an example of a recruiter looking at students’ social media profiles. Apparently if you want to go to MIT, you better have a “clean” facebook page.
[smartads]
Decision Making, the End of an Era?
We are aware of how technology has changed communication. We’re fast forgetting how to really talk to one another, read something that is more than 140 characters, or even pose for a picture without wondering if it will be on facebook tomorrow morning. Scarier yet is the ability for Google or facebook to know who you are, what you do, where you are, who your friends are, and what you search for.
In the past we’ve wanted search engines to answer questions like, “Where is the best sushi restaurant in NYC?”, “What is pi to the thousandth decimal point?”, or “How can I do my own oil change?” We’re soon to expect Google to tell us “Should I message that cute guy I met at a facebook party last week?” Will we be expecting our iPhone to beep as we walk by the supermarket and tell us, “You’re out of milk” or “Do you really need those cupcakes?” when we stop at the bakery?
Do we want Google to auto-fill our lives as we begin to type things like “What should I do with my life?”, “Should I cheat on my spouse?”, or “Is there really a God?”
What’s a Social Media User to Do?
- Don’t make all of your information public. Sites like facebook allow you to make your profile only visible to friends.
- Don’t “friend” people you don’t know.
- Do use a separate email account just for job hunting.
- Do consider using a pseudonym on social networking sites.
- Don’t post pictures of yourself doing stupid things.
- Do untag yourself if your friends post pictures of you doing stupid things.
- Don’t rant about your job on social media.
- Do make sure your online identity is you.
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