From Deseret News archives:
Students' chat site worrisome
The privacy of personal postings is suspect
But many students in Utah and across the nation are volunteering such information to potential employers, school administrators and their peers via the online world of Facebook.com, a social network just for college students.
The new trend has Utah college leaders worried about students posting inappropriate items and personal information on the Internet site, which has 25,727 registered users at Utah schools.
"There are photographs of people without clothes on and stuff like that that's really kind of dumb," said Steve Hess, academic vice president at the University of Utah. "It's part of a movement of social engineering where you meet over the Internet and share information. I guess it's high drama and excitement for students."
Students at Brigham Young University are the most avid users of Facebook in the state, with 15,398 student accounts. The U. has 4,789 students on Facebook.
U. Student Affairs Director Barbara Snyder is so worried about the growing use of Facebook.com that she's putting together a task force to decide how to educate students about the dangers of posting personal or embarrassing information.
That illusion of privacy, Snyder said, could make the student site more dangerous than other social networking sites like MySpace.com. Students think their messages and photos are for friends' eyes only, but they could be reaching a much broader audience, including potential employers, school administrators or predators, she said.
"Anything that's up there is fair game to evaluate you as an individual," she said. "It's not just a social outlet, it's something that can impact your career as well. Many students are surprised by that; they believe it's on their account, it's their information."
Facebook spokesman Chris Hughes said the site is one of the safest on the Internet. The site is open only to members of the educational community and gives users the option to withhold information, he said. The college e-mail address requirement also strips away the ability to be an anonymous member, which enhances the accountability for activity on the site, he said.
Comments
- Nielson leads SUU over McNeese St. 1:08 a.m.
- Utah State campus briefs 12:59 a.m.
- Utah Utes softball: Five recruits sign 12:57 a.m.
- T-Bird D fine without star player 12:32 a.m.
- Musicians leave audience in awe 12:23 a.m.
- Sports on the air 12:06 a.m.
- LDS families let TLC into home, business 12:05 a.m.
- Kehl represents faith in different blue 12:05 a.m.
- Why music lessons matter 12:04 a.m.
- Editorial: Trying to catch the wind 12:04 a.m.
- MWC expand? Get rid of deadweight
- Relieved Cougs prep for Falcons
- Wounded Utes limp home
- Jazz rookies had to grow up quickly
- Barzee is expected to plead guilty
- Big games keep UHSAA coffers full
- Sloan misses practice
- Low in vit. D? Beware heart disease
- RSL surprised by Chicago's Fire
- Jazz notes: Young bigs ride bench
- TCU creams U.
233 - BYU happy to escape with victory
232 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
226 - Will state consider gay rights law?
162 - RSL heads to MLS title game
134 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
133 - MWC expand? Get rid of deadweight
124 - TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
115 - 5A: Bingham rolls to title game
108 - Bennett at center of GOP storm
89
The Gateway, 400 W. 200 South, will kick off the holiday shopping season...
I was a bit under the weather last week, which gave me some time to...
and no child should have to put up with sexual abuse. I know. I was abused...
So.. Government would run health care. Government option would keep others...
Good luck boys, take state for the south. Let it all go on the cold field....
I have been involved with Scouting for over 40 years and still believe it is...
To another quiz: I just took the quiz, it is very informative. I am pretty...
is long long over due...playoff between the top 8 in the league, and no silly...
That was not very good to say. Cant spell Hurricane becouse you dont live...
But did you notice Joanna did the same thing last week and still received...
Funny- Fox sports top 25 power rankings Week 11. #4 TCU #9 Boise State...
Boy, are we working hard to sell this or what? THe 45,000 homes thing is a...


You can be the first to comment on this story.