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Social Media...How Does the World See You?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Higher Ground Real Estate

This morning while perusing Facebook it hit me square in the face (no pun intended!) that I'm reading things and seeing things that should be kept very private.  I'm not a prude but there's language and innuendo, intimate matters between husbands and wives, girl friends and boy friends that at one time were kept, rightly so, between two people...not shared with the world!

What really flipped me over the edge today are photos of teenage female family members (I have no daughters) in poses and situations that are a compromise to their safety and security. My inclination is to contact my two sister-in-laws and actually email the photos but is that the right thing to do? What's more Uncle Joe just shouldn't be seeing this stuff!

As I considered the doors that have flung wide open into what once was the "unseen" and "unheard" the thought occurred to me, "How does the world see me through social media?"It's a question every Realtor, every professional, every would-be professional should ask.  It's imperative we seriously consider the lense, that we've created through social media, that the world views us through.

I read a comment this morning on facebook that said, "I love the freedom of being able to look into the minds of other people."  This comment spoke volumes!  What does the world see as it looks into your mind?

Posted by

Joe Cuchiara, Broker/Owner

Higher Ground Real Estate

Colorado Springs, Colorado

www.coloradojoe.com

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Earl Miller
Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific - Benicia, CA
Solano County, Contra Costa,Benicia Real Estate, 707-280-6366

I run a teen substance abuse program and I am with you 100%. Way out of hand.......Trouble ahead.....

Thanks

Sep 08, 2010 04:17 AM
Chris Canfield
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Tucson, AZ
Homes for Sale in Oro Valley and Tucson, Arizona

Hi Joe, You should make this a public post!  Folks, Do you really want EVERYONE on your friend list to know EVERYTHING about you?  Possible employers?  It isn't only the teenagers who have a problem realizing this, either.  Your predicament with your nieces is why I have declined accepting the friend request from a few of my relatives.  : ) 

Sep 08, 2010 04:21 AM
Kiersten Vogt
Abington, PA

I agree with the things you are saying and that people should think very carefully about what they put on facebook and other social media sites as it could affect the way relatives and employers see you.  However, pertaining mainly to Facebook, those who are very facebook savvy have MANY MANY MANY ways as to avoid problems. 

With pictures you can select a group of people, one person, a few people, or EVERYONE from seeing them.  With info such as work, interests, favorite quotes, etc, you can, again, select various people who can or cannot see it.  You can decide who you want to write on your wall and who can't.  There is even a preset "limited profile" option available to set for people such as employers, who would only be able to see certain things.  There is no need to not accept friend requests but each time I accept a friend I think about what I would want them to see and go immediately to my privacy settings and change them accordingly. 

I do agree that MANY MANY MANY people have gone way too far with facebook and what they post on there but that is there problem.

Sep 08, 2010 04:43 AM
Joe Cuchiara
Higher Ground Real Estate - Colorado Springs, CO

Kiersten...thanks for your comment! It would seem that I need to contact my nieces to have them block photos. Truth is I don't want anyone seeing these photos of these teenage girls.

Sep 08, 2010 04:50 AM
Cherise Selley
Selley Group Real Estate, LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Realtor

Unfortunately we are all part of the postmodern instrument to create truth about who we are.  And after a while, when we don't understand who we are and what we're supposed to do, we then stoop to the point of ridiculousness to gain attention and approval... g

Sep 08, 2010 07:33 AM
Lisa Orme
The Master's Key Realty LLC -Windsor, CT - HARTFORD COUNTY - Windsor, CT
Broker/Realtor, ABR, CRS,GRI, PSCS, SFR, Notary Pu

You are right on target with this post Joe, people put WAY WAY TOO MUCH out there for others to read, or see, and often without an inkling of the consequences or possible misuses of this information by others.

Sep 08, 2010 10:17 AM