Public and Private SNSs
For the most part, the information, likes and interests on my profile accurately reflects me and my true tastes. I try not to put too much information on it and “like” to many things on Facebook because it seems a little unnecessary. My friends are supposed to know what I like already and people that are not my friends should find out for themselves. Because my Facebook friends range from people in Taiwan, High school friends, college friends, family and other random people I meet, tastes and interests aren’t always similar. I may like the same music artist as one friend but not like the books he or she read.
I think when I first started Facebook, I had a lot more information on it that I have right now. I remember I listed many films that I like but now all I have left on my interested film column is Closed, a short film my friend produced - so I “liked’ it to show support. There are definitely certain events in my time with Facebook that I changed my profile – first was going to college, trying to reorganize my Facebook profile so people I just met can find me and learn a little about me.
However, I think the most changed I have done on my Facebook profile information happened when Facebook privacy settings changed. When I realized Facebook uses all the information you put up on your profile for other means, I deleted and “unliked” a lot of things. I guess I’m always hoping to beat the privacy games, so I can protect myself in the online community and also as a consumer. It does not feel good when a brand can have the power to know so much about you and be able to cater products to you based on what information you provide publicly.
Most of my social network service is set to private settings and limited information. Facebook is my platform to connect with friends and family, not with strangers or businesses. Personal twitter account is generally used for ranting on whatever is on my mind not for the entire world to hear, my personal Twitter is set to private. However, I think Twitter can only be used more effectively if it is public, so one can share thoughts and opinions to the world and engage with the larger twitter-verse. With the Twitter account I set for class, I’m more careful with what I say because anyone can read it. The public can form their opinion of me base on what I say and how I present myself publicly.
Jess Y.