The individual whose life has been affected by social networking had no idea of what was about to happen. It was discovered that someone had created a phony web page that exposed personal information such as the type of car this person has. But the worst part is that the web page posted harmful messages relative to gangs. Once the police became involved, they could do little to fix the situation. It turns out that creating a phony web page is not illegal, even though it's morally wrong. Basically, a computer crime, such as this one, only calls for a slap on the wrist; but shouldn't it be more? This young person can only assume someone was trying to be hurtful in some way. Thankfully, the phony web page has been removed.

The message I hope that people get from this story is to act responsibly while social networking. Your decisions can not only affect you but also the lives of other people. If you're a college student or graduate, for example, looking for an entry level job, think wisely about what you want potential employers to see.

Here are some good tips for a safe social networking experience from Sue LaChance Porter:

• Read the privacy policy first
• Understand who can access your page
• Use anonymous e-mail addresses
• Don't give out personal data
• Use strong passwords
• Pick a good user name
• Keep your computer protected
• Post only what you want others to see

Social networking websites are designed to allow people to stay connected with friends, family, co-workers, and other people. However, users of these sites should act responsibly so that they can have a pleasant online experience; this means not hurting other people in the process, or even making a bad impression of themselves as potential candidates for entry level jobs in the workforce.

Sources
http://www.ketv.com/cnn-news/18029093/detail.html
http://www.ketv.com/family/17639214/detail.html