Social networking – A haven for stalkers or employers?
There has been growing concern about facebook and other social networking sites regarding the access of an individual’s personal information by strangers. Reports have stated that some people have recieved anonymous phone calls by stalkers, thus calling into question issues of individual privacy. The collaborative web facilitated by sophisticated publishing language has created a virtual world where anyone can easily upload content to the web. However, this free and liberating cyberspace has become so liberating it seems, that people are no longer being stringent with their private details. We are constantly reassured about secure websites and ‘phishing filters’ but yet many consumers continue to buy products from the internet with credit cards or using online bank accounts.
Also organisations and employers are using such SNS’s to scope out potential employees prior to offering interviews or work. Social Networking Sites are now becoming part of the recruitment and selection process, determining whether applicants actually meet the shortlisting criteria!
Social networking, which began offline through face to face contact, has since transcended from the private sphere to an online public sphere through sites such as Facebook, Myspace etc and is now coming back full circle into the private sphere again because how you present yourself on such sites or through your blog could have a dramatic impact on your career. The way that you act or “perform” online could in fact cost you that promotion or even lose you future employment.
