Culture

"TMI" Not a Good Idea for Facebook or Twitter Users

by Michelle Says So | June 11, 2009 at 03:56 pm

527 views | 9 Recommendations | 6 comments

CONSIDER IT--IT'S POSSIBLE

If you are a Twitter or Facebook user, most of us are guilty of this.

TMI. Too much information.

“Hey all! I’m going to Chicago this weekend!"

“I’m off to a party!”

“Going on vacation for a week!”

We innocently tell our “friends” what we are doing and where we are going constantly. Our society is at an all-time high with the insurmountable and overwhelming abundance of “information overload”.

You are thinking, “It’s not a big deal….these are my ‘friends’, right?”

I challenge you to look closely at your entire friend list on Twitter or Facebook. Sure, you’ve got your real “friends and family”, but I’d be willing to bet you have people listed as “friends” you barely know, are slight acquaintances with, or maybe just “internet friends” you “think” you know, but in reality DON’T know.

One internet site discussed this very topic and a commenter wrote:

“My best friends are people I've met online. Met one on WoW and have known him for 2 years, and the other…I've known him for nearly 5 years. I feel closer to both of these people than anybody I know…and I don't see that ever changing.”

http://wowriot.gameriot.com/blogs/Nobbehs-world/Internet-Friends-Real-Life-Friends

Be honest with yourself. Do you really KNOW these people? Is the innocent “twittering” and “facebook updates” regarding your personal information getting into the wrong hands?

What if?

“I’m going to a party at 222 Walnut St. tonight!”

Suppose someone on your “friend list” sees the information of your evening excursion? What if this information becomes the direct cause of an assault, rape, robbery or any other criminal victimization against you?

What if?

“I’m headed to Hawaii for a week! Can’t wait!”

What if that “friend” reads that you will be gone for an extended time; right down to the details of when you will be gone, and when you will return. Knowing your house or apartment will be empty is a criminal’s dream come true. It’s not hard to locate a person’s address online; thus you may have a potential burglary at hand.

By giving too much “TMI”, this will only set you up for a potentially bad or harmful situation. If you feel it necessary to tell friends you will be out of town or what you are planning on doing or going, think about emailing them individually.

http://michellesaysso.blogspot.com

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QueensHart

at 17:49 on June 11th, 2009

Great point Michelle! Thanks.

Soria (not verified)

at 14:50 on June 14th, 2009

Utterly true, Michelle.

Actually, recent cases of young girls raped and murdered have been positively linked with their exposure to social networks, by appealing their murderers with sexy pictures and giving detailed information about where they go or even where they live.

I've sent your article to my closest ones, just to make them aware. Thank you.

Michelle Says So

at 15:01 on June 14th, 2009

Glad you liked the post and that you sent it on to your friends. Everyone needs to know these things because sometimes we just "don't think". I'm guilty of it, but not anymore! :)

harringtola

at 19:25 on June 14th, 2009

Great advice for teens and adults alike. Sometimes adults like giving the advice to teens but seem to think they are immune to any such consequences to their actions.

sommop

at 12:55 on July 10th, 2009

Great point Michelle!

Calli

at 14:58 on July 16th, 2009

I am still amazed that the so called digital natives are so unaware of the downside of social media.

I can't help feeling that we are letting them down education wise. How many years on are there still newbies making the same 'mistakes' that equate to getting mildly intoxicated and getting a great big tattoo?

The search engine databases are just as complex as laser surgery!!