We’re beginning to dread each new Facebook change and update, as our inboxes become flooded with requests to join new protest groups to show Mort Zuckerberg that we mean business.
We hope you aren’t one of the naive people who actually create those groups, one of those quixotic figures chasing at Facebook windmills.
When we sat down to E-Board Facebook’s newest update (the decision to allow Google searches of patrons’ names and profile pictures), we realized this problem really wasn’t that much of a problem.
People who have privacy restrictions set on their profiles won’t be affected by this new change at all, as Facebook has exempted them from this program.
For those of you who don’t have privacy restrictions, it only shows your name and picture, not your school, e-mail or any other personal information.
So, unless your profile picture is of you naked, smoking marijuana, we doubt you’ll have too much to be worried about.
If you are worried about being able to be “Googled,” then simply change the privacy settings on your account. It’s a very simple process, we promise.
Honestly, if you haven’t limited your profile, for goodness’ sake, go ahead and do it. Save yourself some headaches worrying about if future employers will find those incriminating pictures of you and that goat.
It seems that every single time we do an editorial on Facebook, we feel as if we have to always offer our advice as to how you should use the social network responsibly and safely, so please indulge us as we go through it once again.
Last week in the Intrigue section, we told you about Matt Skinner, an Auburn student whose information and pictures were used by a shady character to contact girls and send them lewd messages. If it can happen to someone else in Auburn, it can certainly happen to you too.
Girls, don’t put your contact info (phone number, instant message handle, etc.) on your Facebook. If you want to send it to someone, that’s fine, but don’t put it on your profile for every Tom, Dick and Stalker to see.
Exercise common sense when you are using a network like Facebook, and realize that people are going to see the pictures, notes and other possibly incriminating and embarrassing things you and your friends put on there.
Do you really need to post those pictures of you and your boys getting wasted in Cabo last Spring Break?
We didn’t think so either.
If we all act responsibly and practice a healthy amount of forbearance and restraint, we won’t have to worry about the newest way Facebook is giving our information to the global masses.
