Update on Facebook Security Concerns

On July 10 I wrote a post titled, Nashville Area Parents Create Safe Social Media Site for Their Kids and Yours.  There have been some new developments to this story.  There have been a couple of interviews regarding NeighborDog.com on Mix 92.9 and WKRN Channel 2.  There was an article in the Tennessean about a young couple's concerns with security on Facebook, and a Mashable article about security concerns with Facebook's new location feature. Mashable also released an article explaining the Facebook security concerns.  The threat that comes to mind about this feature is for stalking.  Most of us have Facebook friends that are common to our friends, we went to school with, or are just acquainted with but not really close.  If this person is a stalker, Facebook now makes it easier for him or her to know where you are.  A little scary, huh?  And could there be a Law & Order episode where an ex-boyfriend uses this feature through an accomplice to establish an alibi while he murders his ex-girlfriend?  Reasonable doubt might be created by marching his friends through the witness box all testifying that he is never without his iPhone.

I also heard about a new website called MouseMail.com with backing from Bill Bennett, former Secretary of Education & Drug Czar and Frank Luntz the pollster.  MouseMail is targeted to parents of first time cell phone users.  It creates controls on cell phone usage and monitors texting to prevent sexting and cyber bullying.  Mr. Bennett has appearances on TV and radio explaining the issue which you can find on the MouseMail homepage.

Will MouseMail stop texting during school and cyber bullying?  Certainly not all.  Will NeighborDog steal enough Facebook users that they modify their security settings?  Probably not.  But what's nice is that the marketplace has responded and we as consumers can vote with our clicks.

 

 

 

Comments

[Kathy Estadt]

Really excellent points. Even with kids in their early 20's I am concerned that they are too casual about their Facebook privacy settings and in giving out their phone numbers. Parental controls on phones were just a glimmer in developers' eyes a few years ago but such a good idea. If I had young children, I would do this right now. And MouseMail.com is offering a free 2 week trial.