I sat in on a Facebook “class” today at our local library. I didn’t learn much, mostly because the lady made most of it up.
There is an abundance of misinformation about Facebook, but one would think that if you’re teaching a class, you might double check what you’re teaching.
Here are a few outrageous statements she told us:
- If you have “Facebook Checkins” turned on, Facebook knows where you are all the time.
WRONG: Facebook only knows where you are when you tell it where you are. No matter what settings you have turned on. You must “Checkin” via a mobile phone in order for Facebook to know where you are.
- Facebook was originally created by Mark Zucker to rape girls.
WRONG: The movie “The Social Network” is wrong about almost everything it portrays. Facebook (before it was called Facebook) was created as a study tool at Harvard University. At the time, it was used by Mark Zuckerburg and a few friends. You can read more info about that here Facebook History
- If you don’t have it turned off, anyone can see your Facebook Messages.
WRONG: No matter what your privacy settings are no one can see your private Messages. I don’t know where she pulled this fact from, but it’s completely false.
- Facebook is evil and makes money when you set all your information to “Public”
WRONG: Facebook makes money from ads. Facebook analyzes you the same no matter what your privacy settings are. Privacy settings change how other people see you, not how Facebook sees you.
Bottom line: Facebook only knows what you tell it. Facebook does not know anything about you that you don’t give it permission to know.
Yes, Facebook knows where you live (if you gave it that info)
Yes, Facebook has your phone number (if you gave it that info)
Yes, Facebook knows who your friends are (if you gave it that info)
Yes, Facebook knows where you work (if you gave it that info)
If you don’t want anyone knowing what you’re doing or seeing what you post, why are you on Facebook?
Thanks for reading! If you don’t mind Facebook knowing, please push “Like” Below.
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Editor’s Note: This is guest written, posted with permission. Originally published here. Thanks, John!
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Read more about social media in education on this social media blog.
About John Hanlon
I agree with you and I am going to change my facebook account setting. Thanks John,,
yes i also had confusion regrading the facebook security earlier. but you made it clear through your blog that it is so easy to follow..thanks for making it clear ..thanks!
Digital media
OF COURSE. I fail to understand why people think Facebook is out to get them. Facebook is a network of computers, not a human entity. Computers can only do what you allow them to do. Facebook =/= Skynet (yet).
Thanks for the comments everybody! This is my first article on social media so I’m glad to see you all enjoyed it.
You can follow me on Twitter @JugglingWJ
Ha ha ha. I think this is a typical example of people touting social media expertise when they are really not qualified. There are many bloggers and presenters who provide little or incorrect information (which is obviously not the case here at Soshable). @John, I love your conclusion that “if you don’t want anyone knowing what you’re doing or seeing what you post, why are you on Facebook?” Thanks for sharing.
Wow. John. Nicely said! I thoroughly enjoyed this. I think you are so right. I wonder where Generation X and Generation Y and Baby boomers come in to this picture!