A college student without a Facebook page is like a celebrity without a Twitter account—they just aren’t A-list. Facebook is a social networking site that originated in February of 2004 and was aimed principally at college students. Created as Mark Zuckerberg’s hobby in his Harvard days, the site gives people a platform for self-expression, access to other’s personal information, and—of course—instant communication.

Facebook is no longer used only for networking among college students; people of all ages and professions have discovered it. Part of Facebook’s allure is not only global communication made possible with the simplest of ease, but also visual and interactive aspects. People are unequivocally drawn to the benefits Facebook has when it comes to keeping in touch with the people in our lives, but where do we draw the line?

When signing up for a Facebook account, people are faced with the opportunity to divulge as much personal information about themselves as they desire. They may describe their interests, hobbies and past school and work experience or submit personal photos or videos. To most users, it’s opportunity for personal space—a place where they can express

what drives them and what exasperates them. What they may realize is how accessible that personal information is to virtually anyone with an Internet connection.

Facebook’s creators may have had good intentions when creating the site, but it has grown to the point that it may be causing as much harm as it is good. Once you have created a page that represents your personal life, you may be more comfortable to disclose provocative pictures, post incriminating status updates or discuss personal plans with friends.

If your account’s privacy settings are set so that only your friends may view your page, you may think you are safe from lurkers. But what happens when you log on one day to find a friend request from your mom? Heaven forbid that she accesses those pictures of you dressed up as a dominatrix on Halloween, or that wall post your best friend just posted about how hungover you both were last weekend.

You have two choices: either censor your Facebook page (i.e., your space for personal expression), or deny the woman who gave you life the opportunity to be your “friend” on a social networking website. Ignoring the efforts of relatives or even coworkers can be a difficult decision to make, but when did Facebook become so appealing to such a professional demographic?

Adults have every right to engage in Facebook-related activities, but their presence can be a burden if your page is filled with unbecoming information. Students are often too quick to post that information; instead, they should be conscious of the possible downsides of sharing personal content online.

Say your mom is computer illiterate, so you’re not worried about ever seeing her on Facebook. You go about posting photos of yourself partying, or have a wall-to-wall discussion with your friend regarding your foolish weekend. Next thing you know your mom herself confronts you with information you know she could only have obtained from Facebook.

It may seem like a stretch, but the people on your friends list are not always inclined to swear that what happens on Facebook stays on Facebook. They may be genuinely concerned for your well being or they may be set on making your life difficult—either way, you’re unlikely to enjoy the conversation that follows.

We live in the age of YouTube, MySpace, and countless other websites that make exposing yourself all too easily—still, it’s best to limit your self-expression on the Internet. Once unflattering pieces of your past have been leaked to the Web, they are there to stay and may even haunt you in the future.

Beyond the usual partying, sexual or drug-related photos or videos, simply speaking negatively of a former employer or educational establishment may seal your fate.

One in every 10 college admissions officers look at college applicants’ Facebook pages regularly, according to a 2008 Kaplan study, and 38 percent of admissions officers found posts or photos that spoke poorly of prospective students.

President Barack Obama spoke to a group of 14- and 15-year-old students in September, warning them of the repercussions that may come along with being so forthcoming on Facebook. According to Telegraph.co.uk, Obama said he has been hearing “a lot about young people who [are] posting stuff on Facebook, and then suddenly they go apply for a job and somebody has done a search.”

In this economy, it is difficult enough to find steady employment without the threat of potential employers lurking on your Facebook page. careerbuilder.com conducted a survey in June and found that 45 percent of employers used social networking sites in order to research job candidates, and Facebook was the preferred site. Thirty-five percent of the employers in the survey reported to have found content that persuaded them to decline otherwise qualified candidates.

Should you ever find yourself in trouble with the law, your Facebook page is the first thing an opposing attorney will look up to compile evidence against your case. Even if you are acting as plaintiff or witness, you are subject to virtual search.

According to about.com, a 20-year-old Rhode Island man who caused a drunk-driving accident could have served a relatively short prison term, if it weren’t for incriminating Facebook photos. The defendant posted photos of himself dressed up as a prisoner at a Halloween party just two

weeks after the accident, while his victim still lay in the hospital. Because of the photos, the man was sentenced to two years in state prison.

Facebook was surely a lot simpler before parents, school and employers invaded its ecosystem. Keep your page clear of any incriminating

information.

image courtesy of idiva.com