LeadSure - Free Expert IT Advice for Your Business - From Cyber Stalking to Social Gawking | John McCarthy

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From Cyber Stalking to Social Gawking

Over the past few years there has been an unprecedented rise in the use of on-line social networks. They are used by all age groups and many people find them fun and enjoyable. Recently the dangers of publishing information on these sites has been highlighted. People have lost there jobs by saying derogatory things about the firm they work for. The obvious dangers to children interacting on line has been well publicised. There is an excellent article on the LeadSure site which gives a range of useful tips on how to use social networks safely.

My concerns stem from the next wave of social networking sites. These often use mobile phone based technology or are linked to MP3 players.

Here are a couple of examples. A major sports wear company has partnered with an MP3 manufacturer. The MP3 player is linked to sports clothing and it can then record your fitness training. You can record where you take your jog and some devices can monitor a huge range of data. This is very useful to help you keep fit. The whole system is linked to a web site and then you can publish your run and give your timings. Other users can view this and may want to try your run or you can look at there exercise regime and see if will help you. A fantastic way to improve your training program and join a community of like minded individuals. Another great example of the Internet in our lives. Well yes and no.

What if you are female and you are now publishing where and when you will be, after all we are creatures of habit.

Other new wave social networks use mobile phones. So you are out on a Friday night and your mobile tells you where all your friends are and so you can join them. Well your friends today may not be your friends tomorrow. More grief from a disgruntled ex partner.

I am sure that all of these social networking tools will have the configuration options that can manage these problems but I have doubts about how easy they will be to manage. The mobile example use the features I mention as a selling point so it is probably turned on by default.

Cyber stalking is not new but now we can be watched in real time because we may inadvertently publish our social lives on the Internet. People can GAWK at us. I am sure there will be a backlash to this invasion of privacy in a few years. The technology innovators and drivers are once again dipping into the money pot because investors see social networks as growth area. Do not under estimate the power of advertising and the data they gather about you. 6 years ago I wrote an article called “Big Brother now Eats cookies” which gives details of how we were recorded before the rise of social networks.

We need to be aware of what is going on. I suspect you will be GAWKED before you know it.

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