We have all heard of “Facebook stalking,” right? And, let’s be honest, we have all done it at
one point or another. But ever since
Facebook became a location based platform, the ability to stalk has
increased. Now, on Facebook and numerous
other social media sites, we can not only know WHAT people are up to all hours
of the day, but we can also have a play by play on WHERE they are all hours of
the day.
Sound a
little creepy? I think it is. So why “check-in” on Foursquare or any other
social media site? Is proving that you
do fun things or promoting a business really worth your personal safety or
privacy? I don’t think so. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great to tell people
where you have been, which restaurants are great to eat at, which movie theater
has the best popcorn, and promote businesses and causes you are proud of. Many businesses even offer discounts or
rewards for checking into their page, as it explains here: http://www.iacpsocialmedia.org/portals/1/documents/fact%20sheets/Location%20Fact%20Sheet.pdfBut it is not the check-ins that scare me; it is the instant update that scares me. I don’t like the idea that the entire cyber world knows where I am, and when I checked in there. There are even sites (illegal ones of course) that are dedicated to helping you track where people have checked in on the internet. Ideal for robbers if ask me. Maybe I’m much too sheltered, or a little paranoid, but you have to admit it seems a little sketchy. And I’m not the only one who has had these worries. It has even been debated as a legal issue: http://www.siia.net/blog/index.php/2011/10/lbs-location-based-services-not-stalking/
But location based platforms are still here, and I don’t imagine they will disappear anytime soon. So how can we utilize these location based platforms and still be safe? I’m not really sure we have an answer. Please comment if you do!! All I’m saying is if you check in that your stranded in the SLC International Airport for three days, you better hope you locked your doors before you left.
Spraffl! It is a new location based anonymous platform! Now you can share all your thoughts and check-ins without telling everyone that it's you that isn't home right now. It could be pretty awesome.
ReplyDeleteI TOTALLY agree with you. I find it not only creepy but annoying when one person updates with every step they take. I love how opinionated you are because I can clearly relate.
ReplyDeleteGood thoughts. I have never checked in, and I don't think I ever will. You brought up illegal websites that help people stalk you, and that is way scary!!! Nice work, like usual Kelsey!
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