The Downside of Social Networking - Watch the long tail

Social networking is HOT, but there is a downside. And maybe we do not know how big that problem will be, do we? Take the following in consideration: Nov 2007 the Dutch department of defense had an issue with a faulty application. By accident they published 340 pages with the names and positions 350 marines on the web. It was there for only two days. 'It was difficult to find, because it was a deep link' - WAKE UP -

In this time of information we know there is a shift from seeking to finding. That's just what happened. We do not have to know where the information sits. We just want the information. The crawlers and index machines found the information and that process is irreversible. It will be there for a long time.

We know now the effect of the web and the search and find capacity of the web. It is still improving - big time. That effect has its downside. In the trend of social networking like Linked In, Plaxo, You tube and the growing blogging culture we put our selves in a shopping window. No matter where we are and when we are there we will find that information years from now. Is that what we want to happen?

"The cost to a person's future can be very high if something undesirable is found by the increasing number of education institutions and employers using the internet as a tool to vet potential students or employees."

Millions of young people could damage their future careers with the details about themselves they post on social networking websites, a watchdog warns.

The Information Commissioner's Office found more than half of those asked made most of their information public.

Some 71% of 2,000 14 to 21-year-olds said they would not want colleges or employers to do a web search on them before they had removed some material.

The commission said the young needed to be aware of their electronic footprint.

Vetting tool

The ICO also said young people could be putting themselves at risk of identity fraud because of the material they post on social networks such as Facebook and MySpace.

The cost to a person's future can be very high if something undesirable is found
David Smith - Information Commissioner's Office

The data regulator's survey found that two thirds of those questioned accepted as friends on such websites people they did not even know.

Some 60% posted their date of birth, a quarter put their job title and almost one in 10 gave their home address.

ICO deputy commissioner David Smith said: "Many young people are posting content online without thinking about the electronic footprint they leave behind.

'Wise up'

The survey found 95% were concerned about their details being passed on to advertisers or other websites.

There were 54% who cared "a lot" about how their personal information was used.

Mr Smith said: "This shows that when young people are made aware that their details could be being passed between parties - legitimate or unscrupulous - they are worried.

"We have to help teenagers wise up to every aspect of the internet age they're living in. It may be fun but unfortunately it is not the safe space many think it is."

The ICO has launched a new website to help young people understand their information rights.