Forms of electronic communication (as Web sites for social networking and microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content (as videos). Examples include Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+

Fight for your Privacy
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Is Online Privacy Possible?

Privacy has become a valuable and elusive commodity. On the one hand, our private information is made available by others whether we like it or not. On the other hand, it's our own fault as we overshare online. People seem to assume privacy…
Pitfalls of social media
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Netflix Social Dilemma documentary examines social media pitfalls

Until I watched the Social Dilemma documentary on Netflix I did not understand how Republicans and Democrats in the United States of America could have such vastly different interpretations of the facts. For example, with over 215,000 people…
FaceAppFears
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Why you should avoid FaceApp, the viral aging app

There is a lot of buzz and panic regarding privacy with the photo morphing FaceApp. In an instant the app can change gender, eye color, skin tone, expression, age or hairstyle to name a few of its features. There are both fun and useful applications…
delete yourself from socialcatfish
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How to opt out of Social Catfish

Social Catfish is a newer site gaining in popularity and showing up in early search results. While there is no doubting the value of helping to connect people and also helping to determine if people online are really who they say they are, I'm…
Watch out for fake news
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How to identify fake news online

A shortcoming of the Internet is the abundance of misinformation that coexists alongside helpful and accurate information. What makes matters worse is that in a matter of seconds, misinformation can spread exponentially through social…
How to see how others see you
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Preserve and repair your online reputation and presence

Whether you use social media and the Internet or not, you and your reputation can be damaged online. As such, even if you’ve intentionally avoided social media and the Internet for one reason or another, you should know if your own information…
Facebook Privacy
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How to boost your Facebook Privacy – 7 tips

If you’re a Facebook user, your pictures, bio, posts, and other activity make up a treasure trove of data about you. Consumers worried that their personal information is vulnerable, according to a recent report from Pew Research, listed hackers…
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Beware of Snapcash and Venmo – a teen’s perspective

Snapchat is a popular app that allows users to send and receive photos, messages and videos that disappear right after they are opened. Now, a new feature has been added that can make your own cash disappear right out of your bank account.…
Privacy Settings
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Facebook’s New Privacy Checkup – Thumbs Up!

When an alligator cartoon offering a Facebook Privacy Checkup popped up while I was using Facebook, I assumed it was fraudulent. Facebook hadn’t seemed concerned about making their privacy settings transparent before and with the unfamiliar…
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A teen’s take on virtual popularity

I can’t help but analyze the sometimes-dysfunctional way that people in my age group act online and on social media. Take a commonly used photo-sharing app like Instagram where one can follow a person and “like” their pictures. Just…
cybersafety and cybersecurity tips
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Why adults must understand technology and social media

“I’m not computer savvy!" "My kids know more than me!" "That’s why I don’t use social media!” I cringe when I hear this because I consider these to be excuses. Like it or not, technology and social media are here to stay. We have…
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Generation Like – The Value and the Cost

I was uncomfortable as I came to the end of a PBS documentary called, The Like Generation. As I reflected on the footage, I became aware of the roller coaster of emotions I experienced as I watched the Frontline video. What started out…