Facebook shows its ugly side
VANCOUVER (CUP) — With over 7.5 million users, Facebook.com is the ultimate networking tool. But many students aren't aware of the dangers of an open social networking website, especially one that can be accessed by professors, administrators, or potential employers.
"Anyone with a university email account can get a Facebook account," said Johanna Waggott, a residence life manager at the University of British Columbia. "I don't think students think about that when they are putting stuff up on their profiles."
She advises that students "shouldn't put anything on Facebook that they wouldn't shout out in a crowd." Waggott points out that she has been invited to banned parties in her own residence through Facebook.
Teri Yoo, a second year science student at UBC, said she hadn't thought about university officials or potential employers seeing her Facebook profile. "I'm kind of uncomfortable that other people can read all that information about me," she said.
But Sean Hepple, a recent UBC graduate, said it doesn't matter to him whether his professors or employers look him up on Facebook. He said he hasn't put anything on his profile that he would be ashamed for them to see.
Although no UBC students have been severely penalized because of their activities on Facebook, this has happened at other universities.
Last year Saul Martinez, a student at the University of Oklahoma, was investigated by the Secret Service after he wrote that President George Bush should be assassinated and replaced with a monkey on a Facebook message board.
Later that year two Louisiana State University students lost their swimming scholarships after making disparaging remarks about their coach on Facebook.
This lack of privacy and control over free speech concerns computer science professor, Richard Rosenberg.
"I don't think universities can justify infringing on students' privacy," he said. "Inhibiting free speech is contrary to the way a university should operate."
But Rosenberg also advises students to use caution. "These websites encourage people to provide a lot of information and make connections . . . but a lot of students aren't aware of how much information they are giving away," he said.
Several universities have drafted policies on social networking websites. One of the first official statements was developed at Cornell University. It includes the cautionary advice: "it is important to remember that Facebook is malleable and creates as many obligations as it does opportunities for expression."
According to Scott Macrae, UBC director of Public Affairs, the university's administrators recently held a meeting where they discussed social networking websites, but no official policy has been created.
"Anyone with a university email account can get a Facebook account," said Johanna Waggott, a residence life manager at the University of British Columbia. "I don't think students think about that when they are putting stuff up on their profiles."
She advises that students "shouldn't put anything on Facebook that they wouldn't shout out in a crowd." Waggott points out that she has been invited to banned parties in her own residence through Facebook.
Teri Yoo, a second year science student at UBC, said she hadn't thought about university officials or potential employers seeing her Facebook profile. "I'm kind of uncomfortable that other people can read all that information about me," she said.
But Sean Hepple, a recent UBC graduate, said it doesn't matter to him whether his professors or employers look him up on Facebook. He said he hasn't put anything on his profile that he would be ashamed for them to see.
Although no UBC students have been severely penalized because of their activities on Facebook, this has happened at other universities.
Last year Saul Martinez, a student at the University of Oklahoma, was investigated by the Secret Service after he wrote that President George Bush should be assassinated and replaced with a monkey on a Facebook message board.
Later that year two Louisiana State University students lost their swimming scholarships after making disparaging remarks about their coach on Facebook.
This lack of privacy and control over free speech concerns computer science professor, Richard Rosenberg.
"I don't think universities can justify infringing on students' privacy," he said. "Inhibiting free speech is contrary to the way a university should operate."
But Rosenberg also advises students to use caution. "These websites encourage people to provide a lot of information and make connections . . . but a lot of students aren't aware of how much information they are giving away," he said.
Several universities have drafted policies on social networking websites. One of the first official statements was developed at Cornell University. It includes the cautionary advice: "it is important to remember that Facebook is malleable and creates as many obligations as it does opportunities for expression."
According to Scott Macrae, UBC director of Public Affairs, the university's administrators recently held a meeting where they discussed social networking websites, but no official policy has been created.
