I noticed on Facebook the issues with privacy and social media were brought up so I figured I would partake in the discussion. Before I jump into this I should inform everyone that I am not an active user of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Pinterest. I have those platforms however I use them to look at pictures and see what is happening in the sports world. When I first got Twitter I posted a few times but in the past 5 years I hardly ever post. The same goes for Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest.
Some users think it is an invasion of privacy when you type in your name on Google and any social media site you use comes up with pictures. To me that is not an invasion of privacy because social media is part of the internet and when you search the internet it gives you things on the internet. For example, if I want to look up who the top high school basketball recruits are (ex, Tre Jones), well when I Google Tre Jones Google brings me to his ESPN profile. Why does it bring me there? Because ESPN is part of the internet and Google is simply doing what it’s told. Now if I Google myself (Zach Raeker) it brings up Facebook, Twitter, and Maxpreps, all of which I am affiliated. There are also pictures of me and I know I posted all of those pictures on something and when I click on those pictures and then click view page, Google brings you to whatever site I posted it on. So as I mentioned earlier, I don’t see an invasion of privacy when Google brings up any site you are affiliated with.
The one aspect of privacy that I see people do repeatedly and frankly, what I think is foolish, listing an email address, home town, cell phone number, or checking into places when traveling. When you do that you are basically giving all of your information away for free. You are also inviting burglars to your house by giving your address and the posting when you are on vacation or going somewhere a few hours away. The worst part, all of that information is 100% voluntary and those people do not consider the consequences that may occur. I am not saying something will happen but I would be cautious of voluntarily putting sensitive information on Facebook.
As I mentioned before I am not a truly active user of social media so my views on privacy may be a little skewed. However, I understand how the Internet and social media are immensely connected that without the Internet, social media would not exist. That’s not to say you should post information you don’t want others to see because a post on social media is a post to the world.