GeekSugar

Should There Be an Age Minimum For Social Networks?

GeekSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:44:06 -0800

Social networking sites have long been popular with teens, and now researchers are saying they're becoming increasingly popular with younger kids, too. I don't think anyone's surprised by the findings; though both Facebook and MySpace require users to be at least 13 years old when signing up for accounts.

A researcher quoted in the CNN article says:

"Of course they are [using social networking sites]. They're using them because that's where their social world is. Because there's no effective way to age-verify . . . children very quickly realize, 'I just say I'm 14 years old, and they'll let me use this.' "

Researchers are split on the long-term effects of allowing younger children onto the sites. Some say that early exposure to the sites can lead to Internet addiction in adults; others say that most younger children use the sites in moderation, and in positive ways. The article also quotes parents who have allowed their kids to lie about their age to create profiles, though they also require their kids to surrender their passwords, and monitor the kids' activities and friends. What do you think about age restrictions on these sites?

How to Organize Your Networking Accounts

GeekSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:01:15 -0700

Cataloging your trillions of social networking accounts makes cleaning out your packed closet feel like a walk in the park with an ice cream. There's TeamSugar, Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Flickr, Picasa, Twitter and every other revolutionary community you signed up for to spy on friends and explore the digital landscape. I don't have enough mental bandwidth or time to keep up with every community, but I have come up with a few tricks for keeping up with all my friends across the world wide web.

Photo courtesy of The CW

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College Claims Facebook Reduces Dropouts

GeekSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:30:44 -0700

In general, people seem to agree that Facebook can be a big time-waster... even causing some students lower grades than their less-frequent Facebook-using friends. Now, the BBC is reporting on a Gloucestershire College claim that Facebook is actually cutting down on student dropout rates. They claim that the social aspects of Facebook - allowing students to bond with each other and with professors and faculty members - is helping to create a closer-knit community at the school.

Media-focused classes use closed Facebook groups to get assignments and seek help from fellow students or teachers. The benefit: the school is using an accessible and familiar platform to connect students instead of requiring them to learn a new program. Mobile technology also means that students are able to stay connected even when they're away from their computers, encouraging even more participation.

Another college in England says that Facebook is a useful tool in reminding students of deadlines and due dates. I wish my college professors had done the same! I'm fairly certain that I would have paid more attention to a Facebook notification informing me that my English paper was due the next day than the note scrawled onto the dry-erase board hanging beside my desk.

Website of the Day: DailyBooth

GeekSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:09:57 -0700

If you can't get enough social networking action (what, with your Twitter updates and Facebooking), add this service to your daily update list: DailyBooth.

DailyBooth is kinda like Twitter, where you post what you're doing and personal updates, but with the extra added feature of adding a photo to every post. Just activate your computer's on-board camera (or external camera) and snap away every day to show off your new haircut, or that shiner you got while playing volleyball with your pals.

Have an interesting website you want to share? To learn how to post your favorite websites to our Website of the Day group, read more.

First of all, join the Website of the Day group.
Click "New Post" under the website of the day tab at the top of the page.
Give your story a "Title."
Fill in the "Body" with a link to your favorite website and the reasons why you love it.
Type "Technology and Gadgets" in the Categories box
Add keyword(s) in the tag field with relevant tags (for example mine for this story was "Website of the Day").
Choose whether you want the post to be private or public.
Click "Create Post" to submit content.

Would You Accept a Friend Request From Your Ex-Boss?

SavvySugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 06:00:47 -0700

It's no secret that social networking sites can cause some serious stress in the workplace. In some cases, there's anxiety over whether you should share your Facebook or Twitter accounts with job recruiters. In other cases, well-crafted online profiles might give you a leg up with potential employers. Still, we're probably most familiar with stories where something seen on Facebook or tweeted into the blogosphere, lands someone out of a job. But what if it's not your social networking conduct that's in question? In the case of Friendly Fred, it's his boss who may be out of line.

In a letter to Fortune, Fred details how he was fired by his employer - without warning or severance pay - and soon after, friended by the very same (and now ex) boss. Obviously, the lay-off has left Fred with some less-than-fond feelings for his old boss, and while he's in no rush to accept the request, he fears ignoring, or even declining it, is poor Facebook form.

While Fortune's Ask Annie doesn't offer any quick fix for Fred's query, she does reveal the findings of a recent OfficeTeam poll that suggests that most of the workforce would be apprehensive about friending their boss on Facebook - preferring to keep their personal network separate from the office. What do you think? Would you want to be Facebook buds with the boss who fired you?

Do the Pros of Networking Addiction Outweigh the Cons?

GeekSugar — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:44:50 -0700

Most of us were taught to call 9-1-1 in an emergency, but times they are a-changin'. Last week, two 10- and 12-year-old girls got stuck in a drain in Australia and instead of calling for police support, they put up a Facebook status update from their phones saying they needed help. A pal saw the update hours later and alerted the police, but local officials (and many of us grown-ups) are worried about the fact that they had cell phones, but didn't dial 9-1-1.

Social networking is addictive and has become the primary form of communication and outreach for many children and adults. While most people say their lives have improved from it, it seems our reliance has costs. It can cause anxiety, be an enormous time-suck, and has fundamentally changed dating and daily communication.

Appropriate to Post Personal Questions on Facebook Wall?

LilSugar — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 06:00:12 -0700

Sure, Facebook accounts make for an easy way for mom to connect with friends and keep them posted on the major milestones like baby's first steps to the mundane - the number of diapers she's changed. But, should the publishing of personal items be up to her or is it appropriate for inquiring minds to pose questions on her wall - have her postpartum stitches healed or what she really thinks of her nanny? Along those lines, what about putting women on the wall spot by asking if their fertility treatment worked, how much they charge to babysit or when they plan on having children? Is this just part of social networking or is it plain rude?

How-to: Find Someone Online

GeekSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 05:47:58 -0700

The debate whether or not to Google potential lovers is a tricky one, but the truth is, there's no harm in it. Finding friends, acquaintances, or even strangers online is a simple and discreet way to learn a little bit - or a whole lot! - about them. You can brush up on their online reputation and verify their stories (hey, hiring managers do it, why can't you?) or simply see what they are into. There are plenty of people who keep their social network accounts private, but you can always find something. Looking for more information on your sister's new boyfriend, a blind date or co-worker? Here are some surefire tips to strike Google gold.

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iTunes 9 Could Have Twitter and Facebook Integration

GeekSugar — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 07:33:20 -0700

I don't usually get too excited about an iTunes update, but Boy Genius Report has some possible screenshots of iTunes 9, and they imply Facebook and Twitter integration.

Social networking integration and built-in Last FM were already rumored features, and the questionable shots show a "Social" tab.

What could a social networking aspect mean for iTunes? It could mean a way to combine your different social networks, or share music socially. I would love for them to expand on the Shared Playlist aspect, already something I enjoy and use now.

What do you think it could mean?

Do You Agree With the US Marines' Ban on Social Networking?

GeekSugar — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 05:52:58 -0700

One of my oldest friend's husband has been back and forth to Iraq and Afghanistan with the Marine Corps for over two years. They have been using MySpace, Facebook, and a family blog to keep him abreast of what goes on at home, and let him chime in about what his days are like overseas. Although no top-secret information has ever been exchanged, a new Marine Corps order, which goes into effect immediately, bans him from using any social networking site.

According to the order, the use of social networking sites puts operational and communications security at risk when viruses and trojans are passed online from user to user, and the Marine Corps feels that sites like Facebook and Twitter are the breeding ground for these viruses.

Although I may have a personal stake in this matter - it's now harder for one of my best friends to get in touch with her husband - I can kinda see where the Marine Corps is coming from. Viruses can attack from anywhere, and you won't see them coming on any radar, especially if the user doesn't know the signs. But what about you - do you agree with the Marine Corps' ban on social networking? I honestly thought it would have more do with security issues than a computer virus.