Top 5 internet privacy myths about social media debunked - Term Paper Example

Internet Privacy Myths about Social Media Debunked With increased developments in the technology sector, many people from different parts of the world are becoming more involved in online communication through various social media websites. Despite the fact that social media expose information to the public domain, many people utilizing different social media websites insist that they reserve the right to remain anonymous when communicating online. However, this myth does not provide any significant positive support in operation of social media websites.

On this basis, this essay will discuss on the importance of proper and truthful identification when using online social networks. To start with, several online social networks prompt the users to provide truthful information about their identity. For example, Facebook, which currently the most popularly used social network website in the world, allows users to provide detailed information concerning who they are on the profile page. Despite this requirement, Facebook has attracted a large number of users meaning that many people do not mind sharing such personal information.

However, there have been several cases where social network users provide false information concerning their identity, something that has not been positively received by other social network users. Of more significance, truthful identification of social network users is beneficial to the webhost companies. Despite the fact that different social network websites provide varying privacy levels to their users, many of these social companies encourage their clients to provide truthful information concerning themselves to the level they can be comfortable with.

For example, when using facebook, one can opt not to fill the entire information requested for in the profile page. By encouraging members of social networks to provide truthful information, webhost companies have been able to effectively manage the modes of conduct of members in their social network websites. This is because people tend to portray a positive image to the public when they can be easily identified by others. Additionally, proper and truthful identification in social networking websites has been backed by various legislations that seek to protect the public from harmful activities carried out in social networks.

In most cases, people with malicious intentions like to disguise their identity to the public in order to reduce their chances of being identified easily. For example, people with false identification in online social networking sites do not find it hard to victimize other online users because of the protection offered by their fake identities. Other malicious online activities include stalking, sexual abuse and identity theft. As a result, various governments have set laws to prevent such online activities from taking place.

For instance, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act enacted in the U.S seeks to prevent unauthorized use of online information by people who carry out such activities intentionally (Cornell University Law School 1). In conclusion, it is important for members of social networking websites to provide truthful information for their identity. This is because proper identification encourages people to be responsible for their online activities hence reducing the incidences of online malicious activities.

From the above discussion, it can be noted that proper and truthful identification not only encourages personal responsibility among social network users but also facilitates effective performance of webhost companies. In addition, it is evident that a large number of members in social networks with fake identities do not find it hard to commit online associated offenses because they cannot be easily traced. As a result, legislations have been enacted to protect the public from online activities with malicious intentions.

Works CitedCornell University Law School. 18 U.S. Code § 1030 - Fraud and Related Activity In Connection With Computers. n.d. Web. 13 Jun. 2014. < http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1030 >.