Privacy is a significant issue among its users. This risk is not immediately apparent. However the information shared on most social media platform extends beyond the immediate group one directly shares that personal content.
The concept of social media—sharing of information, preferences and tastes, historical and private details—is often lost on its users until such time as that privacy is violated by one's network of users.
Users should be careful about what information is posted on these sites. Once the information is distributed, it becomes public information, for all intents and purposes, even when one selects a privacy option. Any shared information can be copied and distributed by those who one shares that information.
It is relatively easy for someone to collect information on a person from a variety of sources, enough to steal one's identity for personal gain, or create distress for one personally or professionally.
Because so much personal data is collected by social media platforms, it becomes easy for another to potentially access ones private records, or get access to financial accounts or legal profiles. Social security numbers, birth dates, telephone numbers, familial relations, addresses, educational or professional histories are all typical ways institutions use to verify one's identity via the internet. All of these details can be relatively easy to collect through social media.
Bullying or social intimidation has become problematic via this relatively new social opportunity. In the past, private or potentially embarrassing information was not easily exchanged, but with the internet that can be done easily and quickly across a wide audience.
Harrassment is unfortunately also done with very little effort and to-date there are few laws that can define and prohibit such activity. The result has been devastating in some situations.
Sexting, or the sharing of personal images which are nude or sexual in nature, although seemingly harmless at the time, can have long lasting and embarrassing consequences. Once created and shared, one loses control of the distribution of such information. The rule of thumb should be, if it is not something you want everyone in the world to see, then it should not be shared in an electronic format.
There are many positive benefits to participating in social media. One of the foremost is the ability to further one's career and professional aspirations. The beauty of social media is that it is relatively easy to gather information that reflects ones interests and goals, and to find like-minded individuals with whom to network.
Many have turned hobbies into full time careers via the internet and social media. Blogging, sharing text, images, videos, music that one identifies with or finds inspiring can open conversations, and lead to opportunities for employment in areas one did not know existed.
Because social media can have an audience globally, very specific talents can turn into lucrative endeavors because globally there may be enough people in need of a service or product to support one's livelihood.
Social media was not originally conceived of as a platform for people to market and advertise a company's products or services. It was created as a means for individuals to communicate with one another. In an attempt to monetize these sites, they created or allowed companies the opportunity not only to advertise but also execute and manage their business.
Major companies now use social media such as Facebook Pages and Twitter profiles to offer consumer support and customer service. Tweeting using @ or # tags, or commenting or posting on a Facebook page has become an effective, inexpensive and efficient way for large corporations to communicate and resolve issues quickly and easily. The transparency that is offered in these forums gives a company the appearance that they care about the individual experience, which is a successful marketing tool.
Because of the internet and specifically social media, people from across the globe can communicate easily in real time. One is no longer hampered by expensive long distance phone calls. Texting apps allow those with relatively limited means to communicate from one part of the world to the other quickly and easily with low cost.