Hmmm … ok … procrastination and interest—I Google myself and see what pops up.
5 mins…10 mins…15 mins later…
I have progressed from self-interest to now stepping all over people’s personal moments in
just a few clicks. I jumped from checking where I ‘pop up’, to a rabbit’s hole of many other options (more fun options) to seek and explore. I felt like I was trespassing through the lives of some friends and acquaintances, and even family. Then, ‘hey—why is my picture on your Facebook?’ I continue to investigate, read some comments, and I discover that my entire life story was revealed. Someone, an old acquaintance posted ‘how is Bobbi doing anyway?’ Innocently, and probably naively, a family member explained, in three paragraphs, the past two years of my life. I am exposed. I was plastered on her wall for all people, that I do and do not know, to see. Okay, maybe I was not plastered but there is a niggling feeling because I know didn’t consent to share all my information—maybe, violated? Vulnerable?
Boom. Tables turned in a minute. I was just ‘creeping’ on other people’s pages, and linking to other acquaintances, happily gathering updates. It no longer felt like I was trespassing. I felt shame for my trolling. But I felt betrayed.
In Susan Lucas’ article, “Job Hunting? Take a closer look at your Facebook page, ” she reminds people of the information posted is always public. There may not be any intention from you, but with our digital age and ideas, pictures, and events posted, whether it is through Facebook or a company website, YOU are out there.
Luckily, I guess, I have tried to fend off Facebook. I have held out, only until recently, to have an FB account. I have learned that it does not mean my information still is not out there. I have had people query my name, received an update, either through events or school postings, discovering where I am and how to contact me. Some ghosts from the past have appeared and made contact. Again, appearing with mixed feelings. I was ‘found’ when I didn’t know if I wanted to be found.
Interestingly, years ago, when I was first dating my husband, we were to meet his dad and wife for dinner. I was suppressing my nervousness by knowing I had an in with the commonality of running. However, to my surprise, after the pleasantries were completed and we sat down with tea, my father-in-law began to rattle some of my running times, splits and overall in events. He was peppering me with questions about training and events…I was in shock and awe. I think I sputtered a few responses, mouth agape, and with his big bellowing laugh, he declares “I Googled you!”
Shock. Now, what?
I quickly tried to recap anything that I had online. I felt somewhat safe because I had not yet entered the world of Facebook or other social media. But, obviously, there is information about me out there. My father-in-law’s laughter lingered for longer than the actual 45 seconds. I was thinking – I am judged. Did he think I am fast or slow? Did he like me or not??
Provided by Pew Research Center
Lucas’ article throws a caution to adults, maybe less nimble in the social media world than teens. This is what leads to Amanda Lenhart’s data that illustrates the differences between “parent and teen attitudes towards and experiences with online advertising, and third party access to a teen’s personal information.” I think phrase of concern is “third party access to a teen’s personal information.” The cautionary tale becomes greater and more immediate, knowing that social media usage, posting private information – pictures, name, school, friends – has been on the rise, over the past 6 years by 20-30%. Yikes!
Privacy. This may be an urban myth in a few years.
This is a well written article and one that more people should be reading. Privacy in my world means not posting it online. I am very active on social media and I have an account with most of the major players, but I have always been very careful. Starting with my privacy settings, I do the best to control who can see and share what I post. I then make sure I never post anything that I wouldn’t plaster on the side of my truck and drive down the highway on. As the person responsible for hiring in many roles I’ve worked, I have always googled prospective candidates to learn what I can about them. It’s controversial for sure, but if it’s sitting in the public domain, it’s fair game.
Agreed, I like your writing style, and the message resonates with me even if I am not as catious as I ought to be in my social media habits. A student once asked me if I ever considered running for parliament, or the legislature, and I replied that my social media habits would likely be used against me in some unforeseen capacity that I cannot predict or prepare for. But then there exists Trump, and that theory holds no water. 2007 me was a little naive as I am sure most were in the infant days of social media, kudos to those who had the foresight to question this new medium rather than plunging in headfirst as I did. The unknown digital me of that era, I have tried to track down and censor to a degree that 2017 me can be comfortable with, but every now and then a student (a favourite pastime of theirs is to google their teachers, even rate their teachers) will turn something up that I will have to deal with. Not as scandalous as it may sound, but revealing more of me that I care to have publicly known.
I quite enjoyed reading your story. It really should become a thriller author…such as Jeffrey Deaver!
That’s the problem with social media. A harmless comment in the past can sometimes haunt you. And now with Twitter, sometimes a comment can even get one fired!
Just recently, BC had their provincial election, and a candidate in my community made a comment on social media several years ago. Someone found that comment and held that against her!
Here’s an interesting article from Workopolis with examples of social media firings!
https://goo.gl/EjrQSV
Those are interesting quips about people fired for social media slips. Yikes. At the moment that you think you are being funny, and out of context of work, and momentarily I was just working with a couple of students in our school who are helping a peer campaign for our student council. The boys hopped on social media and thought they were funny with a few posts; however, they learned quickly they were not. Humour is different from the time something was sent to the time it is received. Social media seems to connect with the feeling of ghosts in closets!
Always good to have reminders!