Social networking!
Social networking sites are the latest trend on the web and, if you are not a member of one already, you have probably heard of Facebook, MySpace or Bebo.
If, like me, you are very bad at keeping in touch with people, these sites are a lifeline, as you can keep all of your friends and family updated of your news and share picture galleries and videos at the click of a button! Some of the sites even remind you of your friends’ birthdays a week in advance – what more could you want?
Which site you choose to join is really down to personal preference. It also depends on how you want to use it.
MySpace users tend to like customising their pages and there are hundreds of websites available where you can download free skins (ie. colour schemes, backgrounds and layouts) for your MySpace page. Members are also given an individual MySpace web link which means that you can use your account as a mini website.
This is great if you want to promote yourself. For instance, my cousin’s band has recently been signed up with a record label, so they use their MySpace page to keep fans up to date with tour dates and record releases. Fans can also listen to audio clips of their tracks and watch video clips from their latest gigs.
If you type local place names into the search on MySpace you will probably be surprised to see that quite a few pubs and clubs now have their own pages! One example is Honiton Conservative Club at: http://www.myspace.com/honitonconservativeclub
Facebook and Bebo users seem to use the sites more informally – to chat with friends, share personal photos and videos and to find new friends with similar interests. You can also join groups of likeminded members on subjects that you interested in, as well as alumni groups for schools and colleges. Facebook friends can also challenge each other to online quizzes and even send them virtual gifts!
All of the social networking sites give you the opportunity to share information about yourself and this is where you need to be cautious. Any personal information that you choose to be published online could be viewed by the wrong people and there is the potential that this information could be used by fraudsters.
The three main social networking websites all have privacy settings built in to them, so you can choose which information is made available to the general public and which is made available only to close friends and family. When you join a site it is advisable to look at the privacy options and decide how much of your information you want to make public. For instance, it is not advisable to make your birth date, mother’s maiden name and personal contact details (eg. full address, telephone number and main email address) available to the public as it is possible that these details ( along with other publicy available information on the net) could be used by fraudsters to help them apply for bank accounts in your name!
Useful Links:
Popular Social Networking sites:
Facebook – www.facebook.com
MySpace - http://uk.myspace.com
Bebo www.bebo.com
Privacy Advice:
BBC Watchdog - http://www.bbc.co.uk/consumer/tv_and_radio/watchdog/reports/internet/internet_20071024.shtml