Social networking safety should be a priority among Howard students considering millions of people can gain access to others’ personal information online.
By using blogs, chat rooms, e-mail or instant messaging, students can communicate through providing their personal information either within a limited community, or with the world at large.
Certain sites can increase vital networking contacts, but also can increase exposure to negative entities.
A new Web site, PleaseRobMe.com, re-posts people’s messages, and uses a location-sharing Web site to post where users are when they’re not at home.
At the top of the Please Rob Me Web site, the words read, “Listing all those empty homes out there.” Those who plan to leave their homes might want to take caution in publishing certain information online for strangers to see.
Hattie Kauffman, national correspondent for “The Early Show,” tested out the site.
Kauffman used the Web site to locate a man at the Heartland Brewery in Manhattan. By the time he arrived at the restaurant, “The Early Show” was there to meet him.
“I didn’t know it was going to go to anything beyond my Twitter and Facebook networks,” the man said. “I really didn’t know who was paying attention. This is a shock.”
The site is not intended for people to get robbed, and it states its purpose is to raise awareness on this issue and force people to think about how they use social networks.
“I tweeted about getting off from work one day,” said senior film production major Drew Moten. “As I approached my house I noticed a girl in all black standing on my door step.”
Assuming the female was a guest of one of his two male roommates, Moten was not apprehensive until he reached his porch.
“Once I got up closer she said, ‘You get off at 8 o’clock, what took you so long?’” Moten said. “I realized she was one of my Howard Twitter followers. I deleted my Twitter page after that.”
Students should be cautious about posting and sharing personal information, especially information that could be used to identify current locations, or information such as your address or telephone number.
“People should value what little privacy they have and keep certain things off topic,” said senior advertising major Dave McClain. “I stay away from anyone I don’t know.”
Freshman English major Jewel Jones keeps her profiles blocked so she can filter and screen who can access her information and makes sure she logs off of each online session.
Social networking is popular on Howard’s campus and can be utilized for entertainment and productivity as long as students are conscious of their online activity. Be sure to log off of your online sessions when using computer labs around campus and keep all pertinent information off of Web sites.
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