The rising amount of reports on social media as an avenue for advancement on others’ identities has become a serious concern. So serious, in fact, that Facebook has created a Safety Advisory Board as part of a commitment to increase awareness and improve online safety.
As the user base has expanded to young children and the elderly alike (not only college students as it first started out), privacy is among the top of many weary parents’ concerns.
What ever happened to ‘Don’t talk to Strangers’?
A recent study conducted by IT security firm Sophos revealed startling details about current Facebook users. Two fictitious accounts were created with profile pictures of a rubber duck and another with two cats on a rug.
Each ‘user’ sent out 100 friend requests in the same age group. Surprisingly, 95 people confirmed, and 8 others added the profile containing two cats as ‘her’ main photo.
With the many users across the world providing date of birth, town or suburb, IM screen name, college or workplace, and even their phone number, it is no wonder identity theft has increased. Users are willing to connect with strangers despite warnings of this occurrence.
Hence the creation of the Safety Advisory Board.
Made up of five Internet safety organizations, WiredSafety, ConnectSafely, Common Sense Media, Childnet International and The Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI), the board joins MTV in its campaign to protect social media users from online predators.
First, the Safety Advisory Board plans to revise the safety information offered through the online help center. This will provide more safety information for parents, children and teachers.
In another attempt at tightening safety in May 2008, Facebook signed a deal with the attorneys general of 49 states to enhance protection of minors through measures such as automatically warning them when too much personal information is given out about themselves.
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