Facebook Review

I was "early on" with Facebook. I had an "in" when the space was restricted to college users only. I was along for the ride when they opened it up to high school kids and now that the gates have been thrown wide open - anyone can sign up.

My account is buried. I won't go into details. I just needed one to pick up some photos (with permission). If I'm lurking there (not really - but you get the idea), imagine who else might be. I was concerned about this before they opened the site to the general public. I figured if I could slip in and not looking for trouble, then imagine someone who was really up to no good.

With those thoughts in mind, here's some more info on Facebook: 

Facebook is a bit like My Space, although I do not do My Space. I've looked at both, and it's the same basic idea. Have your own personal page and connect with your friends or anyone and everyone.

There are some neat features.

The biggest draw is that members can post unlimited photos. They must be in collections of 60 or under, but I don't think they have a max out number overall. Kids take photos of ballgames and post those up. Pretty cool. They also post at parties. Not so cool. A "friend" may tag your name at a party. Then you are out there in net land doing who knows what online for the whole world to see. While a personal page can be locked down to "friends only," if you show up in photos on an open page, then your photo is out there for the world to see.

I've seen some very interesting photos at Facebook. Kids show me these. I just shake my head. Who really wants a naked or drunken photo online for parents or potential employers to see at some point down the road? And, these are the ones in open pages for anyone to view. I'm not on any friend lists. My account in totally inactive. I can see these photos.

The photo thing worried me before there were any alarm bells ringing.

If you Google around, you can find cases where kids have been busted for drinking underage in photos at Facebook. Employers have pulled up pages and have given the thumbs down to potential employees after seeing stuff posted on the site. I know of someone firsthand who lost his job, because he had inappropriate photos posted up at the site.

Even if the photos are pulled down, who knows who might have copied and pasted the shots. Seriously, if it goes up, then it's there. Someone may have it. Imagine if we'd had Facebook when Bill Clinton was a college student. We could, perhaps, see if he did inhale or not. That's the kind of trail kids are leaving.

If you skip beyond the photos, Facebook tracks all kind of information and posts that for the world to see. They even give big old updates. For an example, I know one kid who has a girlfriend who has his sign in info. The other kids joke about his "status." He puts that he is single. The girlfriend (who is on and off) goes in and clicks that they're an item. Other kids get these updates every time a change is made. Max is single. Max is seeing . . . Max is married to . . . Max is single. Real time updates. Who wants to know all that? Who wants to share all that?

Facebook also has a space to put how a member is feeling at any given point. Click in and say, "I'm so down today." You may feel just fine in a minute. But, the message goes out. It might be good for some immediate support, but imagine that a future employer can check in and see all your high and low points over time. Do you really want to tell the world that you are suffering from PMS or that you failed a big test? And have that in print for all time, for all the world to see?

I do tell kids to lock down Facebook. There's an option to make pages open only to "friends." Unfortunately, most kids are not selective about friends at Facebook. They are giving others way too much information as well as photos that could come back and haunt them. I say, "Do you really want someone to have a photo of you with your shirt off?" If you post it, then someone can easily copy it and have it. Even if you take it down, who knows where that photo may pop up?

I do see how Facebook can be attractive. It is a good way to keep up with everyone. Goodness knows, you'll get lots of info if you play at the space. You will know how Max is doing with his girlfriend for sure.

I've talked about concerns with Facebook since close the beginning. I didn't tell my boys that they couldn't play there. Neither of them had any interest in putting up personal information and photos. I'm glad. I'd really be worried if either did become Facebook fanatics. In addition to the safety concerns, it's a real time waster.

I have seen cases where folks banded together at Facebook and did do good things. It's an easy space to network. But, overall I've seen a lot more that I'd never mention in polite company. I will only hope that none of the bad stuff comes back on those who are way too free with information and seem to think that Facebook is a private space where they can say and do anything.