Quick Guide to Your Privacy on Facebook

By Maribel Quezada for Spark Media

Many of us use social media as a major means for communication. It has become a significant part of our daily interaction. It is because we spend so much time online, that we have to take these tools seriously and learn to manage them properly.

Who is watching YOU on facebook?

- Your best friend & not so best friend
- Potential employers
- Current employers & colleagues
- The media

Always remember: what you post online could become public domain and can never be erased. This means that it can be used in anything from a court of law, a newspaper article or popular magazine sometimes without your consent.

Including:

- Photos
- Videos
- Messages
- Emails
- Comments
- Status updates

Know your Privacy Options

1. Classify your friends. It sounds harsh and it might take you some time, depending on the number of facebook friends you have but it gives you more control. On facebook you have the option to create lists for different groups of people you are friends with and give each list specific permissions and restrictions. For example, you may want to create separate lists for family and colleagues. This way you can allow anyone in the Family list to view your pictures, no one categorized in the Colleagues list. You can find this option under the FRIENDS tab on the right-hand side of the page.

2. Don’t be afraid to block someone. And if you feel threatened or unsafe you should report them immediately. On facebook you can find the block button under PRIVACY SETTINGS

3. Be aware of who can see your updates. facebook has made it easier to choose who can see your updates by simply clicking on the lock icon below your post, before you publish it, and selecting the friends lists to exclude form viewing this post. This is another wonderful benefit of classifying your friends into lists.

4. Lastly, you should never accept invitations from people you don’t know. If you’re worried about networking, that’s what LinkedIn is for.

You can still have fun with your facebook profile and feel free to express who you are. Just remember: The world is watching!

Maribel Quezada is a communications professional and freelance contributor to the Spark blog. You can follow her personal blog on tumblr & on Twitter @MQ02