Thread: Young people have a false sense of security

Well aside from those of us who are internet savvy, it seems young people think what they post online is private, while older people see it as public.

This study seems to focus on Facebook.

Originally Posted by cbc.ca

Prof says young people have unique sense of Facebook privacy

Study says older people who run organizations see everything online as public

A "digital divide" exists in Canada between young people who see information posted online as private and older people who see it differently, according to a study released Thursday at a privacy conference in Toronto.

Ryerson University professor Avner Levin, a keynote speaker at the Youth Privacy Online: Take Control, Make it Your Choice! conference, said in the study that young people have a notion of online privacy that is not shared by business managers and executives. He said the latter view all information posted online as public.

Levin said the difference in perception becomes an issue when young people enter the workforce.

If they have not taken steps to control access to their personal information online, he said, it can be viewed by older people who run organizations and who can use online social networks to check on employees or job applicants.

"A digital divide exists between how youth perceive network privacy and how the older generation of managers and executives perceive it," Levin said.

"Young people believe that information shared with their personal social networks is considered private as long as its dissemination is limited to their social network. Organizations, on the other hand, don't recognize this notion of network privacy. They believe that any information posted online is public and deserves no protection."

More: Prof says young people have unique sense of Facebook privacy

Just because you have your profile set to private so only contacts can see it does not mean it's "private" in all sense of the term in my opinion.

To me anything you post online becomes "public" knowledge regardless if it's in a private area where you choose who see's it, after all, those you choose to add ARE part of the public.

What are your thoughts on this?

My thoughts: The web's a dangerous place and I'm an ugly bloke, which is why I never post my picture or personal details anywhere.

Originally Posted by CountryBoy

My thoughts: The web's a dangerous place and I'm an ugly bloke, which is why I never post my picture or personal details anywhere.

Ugly or not, that's a wise decision. I stopped posting personal pictures, then posted some after awhile and regained old "problems". (hint, we discussed it in PM)

For myself, I know that I used to have everything up on my myspace page, esp when I was at school. You just dont care as why would anyone want to stalk you? Instead I got a weirdo who had fun pretending to be me all over the net, which was really scary, she pops up every now and again, but not as me. What pissed me off was that no one could do anything about her. We tried.

I dont like facebook at all, but myspace, most people have their comments and friend list hidden. Photos only friends can see, but most people have a few myspace accounts, I do, still have the one from when I was about 13 and thats only for friends in real life.

I have been told heaps of time not to take anyone on on the internet or swear anywhere

Rhiannon added 4 Minutes and 56 Seconds later...

Also forgot to say lol You really dont care what you put on the net, if your having a arguement with someone at school, its going to be taken to myspace/facebook etc and other people will join in, its just natural, and you do not care who reads it, until you become older and freak out because your a tool.

Let's just say I am SO glad I don't live in this age as a youngster, I can't imagine people putting stuff about me online, or wanting a fight just to put it on youtube. Students have a lot of pressures and things to worry about and now it's much much worse.

Originally Posted by Colleen

Let's just say I am SO glad I don't live in this age as a youngster, I can't imagine people putting stuff about me online, or wanting a fight just to put it on youtube. Students have a lot of pressures and things to worry about and now it's much much worse.

Unfortunately its part of being on the net, there is a hell of alot of good things happening on here, but so much more negative, look at all the teenagers who have committed suicide over different things, cyber bullying and a young girl killed herself over an adult and her friends pretending to be a young boy, there are so many horrible things here, and you cant always protect yourself. And it doesnt matter what age you are. Look at all the married people having affairs on the net, then meeting up and 1 is usually really fat.

The internet is a place where introverts can become extroverts, ugly people become pretty as everyone is nice to each other. Lost count of how many men pretend to be woman and vice versa. I know at milplace we have had some pretty friggin sick people join and then get booted.

Originally Posted by Rhiannon

Unfortunately its part of being on the net

Yep, agreed, have heard it all.

Originally Posted by CountryBoy

My thoughts: The web's a dangerous place and I'm an ugly bloke, which is why I never post my picture or personal details anywhere.

Where you hoping to charm that girl on the bus then with your sense of humour? :twisted:

Originally Posted by Rhiannon

Also forgot to say lol You really dont care what you put on the net, if your having a arguement with someone at school, its going to be taken to myspace/facebook etc and other people will join in, its just natural, and you do not care who reads it, until you become older and freak out because your a tool.

Unfortunately there are many who don't stop being tools even when they are fully grown.

Originally Posted by Rhiannon

Unfortunately its part of being on the net..

Just part of human nature methinks. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Bawbags abound.

Originally Posted by Rhiannon

Unfortunately its part of being on the net...

The internet is a place where ... ugly people become pretty ...

Except CountryBoy apparently.

Originally Posted by Halobitt

Where you hoping to charm that girl on the bus then with your sense of humour? :twisted:

I was hoping it would help. Maybe she'd laugh her pants off at my razor sharp wit!

It is always wise to only put Online what you really want the whole world to see. When I was teaching, I use to check my students MySpace accounts and was mortified at what they posted. They were so shocked that I was able to see them.

It is also wise to not believe half of what you read on the Internet.

My thoughts: The web's a dangerous place and I'm an ugly bloke, which is why I never post my picture or personal details anywhere.

That's ok CB. None of us will judge you on your looks. We all like you for...for...for! Hell, I can't think of a single reason to like you. I will get back to you later. LMAO

Originally Posted by CountryBoy

My thoughts: The web's a dangerous place and I'm an ugly bloke...

On second thoughts, I don't think you should be allowed to say that you are ugly. What will UglyBoy say (when he comes back)? I'll start getting (more) confused. Just imagine if UglyBoy says he lives in the Country.

Originally Posted by allout

It is always wise to only put Online what you really want the whole world to see. When I was teaching, I use to check my students MySpace accounts and was mortified at what they posted. They were so shocked that I was able to see them.

What was the most shocking thing you saw, and what were you teaching them at the time?


I'm not too bothered about pics of me online, naked or otherwise. It was annoying though that one time when I started getting calls from a dangerous cult.

Originally Posted by CountryBoy

My thoughts: The web's a dangerous place and I'm an ugly bloke, which is why I never post my picture or personal details anywhere.

There is no such thing as ugly on the internet everyone can be beautiful or handsome, even you
There are plenty of people who would love to mess with your mind

Originally Posted by Halobitt

I'm not too bothered about pics of me online, naked or otherwise.

We have a "post your picture" thread, you're more than welcome to post Halo's bit's anytime... :twisted:

Privacy is overrated. I've always lived my life out in the open with nothing to hide. That said, I won't be publishing my social security number on Facebook anytime soon.

The problem I have with Facebook is that both my friends and my co-workers/employers want to add me to their lists. My friends tend to post inappropriate, NSFW stuff to my profile on occasion that I wouldn't want business contacts to see. My profile is private, but I hate having to moderate my friends. I wish there were two Facebooks, Facebook Business and Facebook Friends.

Originally Posted by RyanFormspring

Privacy is overrated.

Agree 100%. I think posting anything online is equivalent to taping a notice on your front door. The only things I trust to be truly private is data posted to a secure server (https). Also I think Facebook takes the privacy thing way too seriously. All this stuff that you can only be part of one regional network is just way too confining for me.