by Nora Kovacs

Created on: January 05, 2010

An Invasion of Privacy…Social Sites?

Did you notice that we cry foul whenever we feel that our privacy or civil rights have been violated, then in a nano second put all of our business on some very un-private social site. Is this some sort of selective choosing, temporary insanity or a case of “choosing” how our rights are violated and to what degree.

 I’m not going to kick social sites and networking, I use some of them myself, but I am selective as to how much I put out there. The good part is the instantaneous manner in which we can chat, e-mail, vid communicate, IM, just connect. The bad part is that some of us forget to be respectful, conscientious and, polite, remembering that even though it is as easy as talking with someone face to face, we don’t really know who’s “listening”.

 I have received numerous friend requests from kids under 12, which is not a problem for me, but right under that request is someone laying into someone, in not so nice of a manner. You know, the four letter words, the name calling..all the lingo normally meant for the streets, if at all.

 The cursing is only one of the downside of some of sites. There are sexually explicit photos, messages and some invitations. (Not meant for young ‘eyes’). I would think that the authors of these postings would consider who may be listening. I do realize that one of the fascination with some of these sites is the freedom..but we should also be aware of who may be ‘in the room’.

 Parents, you didn’t think you were getting off the hook did you? Where are you when your kids are entranced in the grown-up world? Do you not at least offer them an alternative? I guess my dilemma is trying to figure out ‘whose responsibility’ is it to monitor these sites or at best kids use of them….

It is almost like walking into a 25-plus bar and sitting next to a 10 year old.  Now how disturbing is that.  We somehow manage to blame someone else for the trails our kids follow, but...where is their computer?

 If anyone has an answer or solution, I’d surely like to hear it…Now I’ll go and confirm this 8 year old as a friend!

Learn more about this author, Nora Kovacs.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.