For our seventh podcast we invited Geek Girls Guide reader Alexis Bell over to talk about some concerns her family members had with her jumping into the world of social media.
Listen Online
Click the cute little button below to stream the audio in your browser window.
Recap
Alexis (@alexisjbell) sent us an email and said:
“My parents have become very concerned that on my Twitter account I have my picture and my real name. One night I tweeted that I was going to the MIMA holiday party and that concerned them because A) someone could rob me knowing that my house is unoccupied or B) stalk me. I realize their concerns are real and that they are just worried about me but I haven’t figured out how to ease their minds yet.
So I guess my question has to do with personal safety and security while posting information about what you are doing and where you are going. With Facebook I know who everyone is ‘In Real Life’, but with Twitter I don’t yet know any of these people. Some I’m hoping to know/meet in the future with regards to social media and web design. I know that approving everyone that follows you is an option but I don’t see that as a solution if I’m trying to get into social media.”
We talked about:
- Generational differences between what we are used to sharing, and having public
- Related: We all live in public now. Get used to it. – by Erick Schonfeld on TechCrunch
- The insidious danger of danger – a brilliant post by Tara Hunt (@missrogue)
- Sharing information sensibly; be aware of what you’re sharing in any network you’re participating in.
- Ways to demonstrate why it’s important for a modern professional to be creating content about themselves that is indexed by search engines.
The bottom line in this whole conversation is that it would be a mistake to miss out on the personal and professional opportunities to connect with people in social channels out of fear. Be smart, but don’t be afraid.
Join in the Discussion
What do you think? Are you avoiding social media because you’re concerned about safety or do you brazenly share all?
Recent Comments