Clipping Board » Life Tips ─ Life is also a subject of study...
July 22, 2010, Commercial Times [Reporter Lin Jiayi / Comprehensive Foreign Reports]
The popular social networking site Facebook is set to surpass 500 million registered users this week, marking a new milestone. However, Newsweek reports that such a massive user base also raises significant privacy concerns, potentially causing unexpected troubles for users and turning their lives upside down.
For example, Facebook might cost you a job. According to a UK employment survey, half of employers would reject a candidate if they discovered inappropriate behavior on Facebook (such as photos of excessive drinking, illegal activities, or poorly written posts). In the U.S., 20% of employers admit to actively searching Facebook profiles to gather additional information about job applicants.
Or, Facebook might prevent you from receiving insurance benefits. A 29-year-old female IBM employee in Canada was on leave for depression and eligible for disability benefits. However, the insurance company used photos she posted of vacations and birthday parties as evidence that she was no longer depressed and could return to work, cutting off her benefits.
Facebook could also land you in a defamation lawsuit. A British businessman successfully sued a former classmate for creating a fake profile in his name and spreading malicious rumors, winning £22,000 in damages.
Facebook might even make you lose a divorce case. The platform is increasingly used as courtroom evidence. Divorce lawyers in Europe and America now meticulously scour Facebook pages to uncover evidence of infidelity, dishonesty, or neglect of family responsibilities. One American woman lost custody of her children after her ex-husband accused her of being obsessed with Farmville on Facebook.
Of course, Facebook could also lead debt collectors straight to your door. Many believe they can evade creditors by avoiding calls and in-person meetings, only to be tracked down through Facebook. Some lenders even monitor borrowers’ Facebook updates to assess their financial status and repayment ability before approving loans.
Finally, Facebook might make you feel worse. While social networks are often seen as a way to relax and relieve stress, they can actually add to users’ anxieties. A study by a New York university found that many young girls who spend excessive time on social media end up feeling more isolated. Constantly discussing gossip or personal problems with friends can leave people in an unhealthy state for prolonged periods.
Source: http:/ / news. chinatimes. com/ w……4054x122010072200344,00. html
Beware Facebook Ruining Your Life
The popular social networking site Facebook is set to surpass 500 million registered users this week, marking a new milestone. However, Newsweek reports that such a massive user base also raises significant privacy concerns, potentially causing unexpected troubles for users and turning their lives upside down.
For example, Facebook might cost you a job. According to a UK employment survey, half of employers would reject a candidate if they discovered inappropriate behavior on Facebook (such as photos of excessive drinking, illegal activities, or poorly written posts). In the U.S., 20% of employers admit to actively searching Facebook profiles to gather additional information about job applicants.
Or, Facebook might prevent you from receiving insurance benefits. A 29-year-old female IBM employee in Canada was on leave for depression and eligible for disability benefits. However, the insurance company used photos she posted of vacations and birthday parties as evidence that she was no longer depressed and could return to work, cutting off her benefits.
Facebook could also land you in a defamation lawsuit. A British businessman successfully sued a former classmate for creating a fake profile in his name and spreading malicious rumors, winning £22,000 in damages.
Facebook might even make you lose a divorce case. The platform is increasingly used as courtroom evidence. Divorce lawyers in Europe and America now meticulously scour Facebook pages to uncover evidence of infidelity, dishonesty, or neglect of family responsibilities. One American woman lost custody of her children after her ex-husband accused her of being obsessed with Farmville on Facebook.
Of course, Facebook could also lead debt collectors straight to your door. Many believe they can evade creditors by avoiding calls and in-person meetings, only to be tracked down through Facebook. Some lenders even monitor borrowers’ Facebook updates to assess their financial status and repayment ability before approving loans.
Finally, Facebook might make you feel worse. While social networks are often seen as a way to relax and relieve stress, they can actually add to users’ anxieties. A study by a New York university found that many young girls who spend excessive time on social media end up feeling more isolated. Constantly discussing gossip or personal problems with friends can leave people in an unhealthy state for prolonged periods.
Source: http:/ / news. chinatimes. com/ w……4054x122010072200344,00. html