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Social Networking – what's it all about?
28 June 2006
Blog sites, profile sites or diary sites – what exactly is a social networking site? Basically all of the above!
Social networking the new craze to hit the internet world is a combination of a diary, personal ad and cyberdating. These websites help connect friends and strangers using blogs, profiles, internal email systems and photos. Users can disclose personal details such as marital status, physical appearance and which school they attend.
As you can imagine these are proving very popular with kids and young people. In fact, around 61% of 13 – 17 years olds have a personal profile on one of these sites.
Bearing in mind the array of personal details it is possible to divulge within these sites it is really important to ensure that you are aware of how to use them safely. Here are a few things to consider before joining a social networking site:-
- Think about which site to join – some sites will allow you to define users who can access posted content; others allow anyone and everyone.
- Keep control over the information you post – consider restricting access to your page to a certain group of people e.g. your friends from school.
- Keep your personal information personal – do not post your full name, address, phone numbers etc and don't post other people's information either.
- Make sure your screen name does not say too much about you – don't use your name, age or home town.
- Only post information that you happy with others seeing – Remember that once you post information online you cannot take it back.
- Consider not posting your photograph – It can be altered and used in ways you may not be happy about.
- Be wary about meeting a new friend you have made online – people often lie about who they really are and you will have no idea who you are really dealing with.
For further information on staying safe whilst using these sites please look at our VGT Young People's page.
The VGT are working with providers in an attempt to keep the risks to a minimum and to try to ensure safer internet environments.