What is social networking?

Websites such as MySpace, Bebo and Facebook (among others) let you communicate with friends and, if you choose, strangers online and build networks of friends linked by shared hobbies and interests.

Risks

These sites are very popular with young people. They expose them to risks they have always faced online but in a new forum: online bullying, disclosure of private information, cyber-stalking, access to age-inappropriate content and, at the most extreme, online grooming and child abuse.

For adults, who are also using these sites in greater numbers, there are serious risks too. They include: loss of privacy and identity theft. Adults too can be victims of cyber-bullying and stalking.

Protect your privacy

You can avoid these risks and enjoy social networking sites by following a few sensible guidelines:

• Don’t let peer pressure or what other people are doing on these sites push you into doing something you’re not comfortable with. Just because other people post their mobile phone number or birthday, doesn’t mean you have to.
• Be wary of publishing any identifying information about yourself. In particular things like: phone numbers, pictures of your home, workplace or school, your address, birthday or full name.
• Pick a user name that doesn’t include any personal information. For example, “joe_glasgow” or “jane_liverpool” would be bad choices.
• Set up a separate email account that doesn’t use your real name and use that to register and receive mail from the site. That way if you want to shut down your connection, you can simply stop using that mail account. This is very simple and quick to do using such providers as Hotmail or Yahoo! Mail. (Other services exist. See the DMOZ directory of free web-based mail services).
• Use a strong password.
• What goes online stays online. Don’t say anything or publish pictures that might cause you embarrassment later. As a general rule, if you wouldn’t say it to your boss or your grandmother, don’t say it online.
• Learn how to use the site. Use the privacy features on the site you use to restrict strangers’ access to your profile. Be guarded about who you let join your network.
• Be on your guard against phishing scams.

For more information

• Bebo’s Safety centre.
• Myspace’s safety tips.
• Facebook’s privacy and security advice.