Think before you click!

The social networking websites Hi5 (2), Facebook (6), YouTube (8), Myspace (9) Blogger.com (15), and Vibes Connect (19) are among the top 20 sites ranked by Alexa.com. There prominence reflects this new craze among young people around the globe to use the Internet in this manner. 

“Facebook and other social networks aren’t just a way of contacting your old friends - it’s a way of finding new friends … I use Hi5 to look for a potential partner,” said a young person in the Go-Local Jamaica MSN Messenger discussion.

Though these websites can be a great source of entertainment and networking opportunities there are many potential dangers. A study by Children’s Digital Media Centre (2005) says children under age 16 are putting up too much personal information online. The study found that two-thirds of these children give their age and first name; 60% gave their location and contact information are given. While, another two out of ten gave their full name. (Sullivan B., Kids, blogs and too much information. April 2005)

Internet Safety Experts believe this leaves the user vulnerable to Internet paedophiles, cyberbullies and even identity theft.  Sullivan’s article also revealed that many teenagers believe the website are protected because they require a username and password to join. This is a misnomer. It is still very easy for someone to figure out who you are online.  

Case Study 1: Gabriel*
Within two minutes of visiting her Hi5 profile (without leaving the homepage) I gleaned she was a 16 year old living in Portmore, who attends St. Andrews High School for Girls, that loves video games. I can now tell what music she likes. Her friends’ comments though loaded with expletives indicated clearly what young Gabriel is affectionately called. 

Case Study 2: Dave*
Although this 16 year old instead of giving his hometown said ‘tel you next never’ he did say he was from Montego Bay. I guess he was trying to protect himself. However, his profile indicated that he is a member of the Anglican Youth Fellowship. He even gave his MSN Messenger address to contact him, if you want more information than he has already given.

What does this mean for little Gabriel with 163 Hi5 friends and more than 300 profile views and Dave who has invited persons to contact him? They have given potential cyber predators a goldmine of personal information, likes and dislikes. The predator can therefore establish connections and gain their trust by pretending to like the same music, artistes, video games, television shows and movies. Then ask for a face-to-face meeting.

Could this be a possible cause of many unexplained kidnapping?

What you post on the web stays on the web. Think for a minute before you click.  Think before you post your photos and your family and friends too. If you do this you are not just putting yourself at risk, but your friends too. Pay attention to the privacy settings on these social networking sites and only give out personal information to people you actually know.

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