Forum looks at Facebook safety risks

By ALICIA DILLON
Reporter

What started as a way to stay in touch with friends is creating problems for school officials across the U.S. 

Though many students enjoy using Facebook, it can pose security risks and affect post-graduate studies and future employment. 

On Tuesday, Peer Education at Creighton sponsored “What you need to know about Facebook,” a panel dialogue in the Hixson-Lied Science Building.

The dialogue was held to educate users about keeping certain information off social networking sites and to show students how to edit security settings on users’ profiles. 

“Facebook came to Creighton and took off running,” said Becca Ramm, Peer Education Safety Awareness Team executive. “Students don’t know what they’re doing, right or wrong.”

Ramm showed students how to limit the information they post on Facebook and change settings that have been added recently using “Betty Badexample” and “Greta Goodexample.” “Betty Badexample” listed all of the information Facebook requests, including a phone number and address. 

“Greta Goodexample” provided limited information, but students still could get a feel for what kind of person she is. 

Panel members also talked to students about stalking.       

“Anybody can access this stuff if you don’t have your settings set high enough,” said Desiree Shipman, Public Safety officer. 

Shipman said students who have their phone numbers, addresses and classes posted on Facebook are at increased risk of being stalked. 

The panel also talked about how employers and graduate schools view students’ Facebook profiles.

“In a 2005 survey, 22.9 percent [of employers] used sites like Facebook and MySpace to screen future employees, [and] 68.6 percent were influenced by what they found,” said Tonda Kizer, Career Center counselor.

She said students should remove questionable information and photos, and be prepared to answer to employers and graduate schools when asked about their Facebook or MySpace accounts. 

“I can promise you Facebook is being used in grad schools,” said Annette Schmeling, associate vice president of Student Services. “Especially if a student is on the fence, they’re using it to see if they want you.” 

Law enforcement officials have had to deal with Facebook users. One case involved a University of Oklahoma student who posted comments about possibly assassinating Bush on an anti-Bush group on Facebook. Amy Bones, general counsel of Creighton, said the Secret Service went to the student’s dorm room to investigate what had been written.   

“These are public forums and nothing prohibits non-students to see it,” Bones said. “We’re just trying to help people keep safe.”

Many students at the panel dialogue said they were influenced by the discussion.     

“I was concerned with the issues, and now I’m taking with me the use of the security settings,” said Beth Cowley, Business sophomore. “I also have a little sister in high school, and I’m going to tell her it’s not good to have information that makes you look bad.”