Thursday, January 13, 2011

Facebook and Privacy

Last week I created what many bloggers have had for centuries: A Facebook page.

I haven't advertised it yet because I'm still figuring out where I want to take it.  That's where I hope you'll help me.

Many of you admit to being very private in public, despite the telling nature of blogging.  I am also that way.  Facebook is a perfect example.  I only accept people I know and want to keep in contact with.  Otherwise, I feel like my whole life is out in the open for everyone.

This is what has kept me from creating a Facebook page and "liking" other Facebook pages.  I feel...exposed because I am included in the friend's list and everyone can see my full name.

So I am asking you, dear readers, to explain how you use your Facebook page.  Do you feel like it keeps your identity separate from your regular profile? How do you feel about "liking" other people's Facebook pages?

And, if you don't have one, why you have decided against using it?

P.S. I would be friends with all of you! If you aren't a creepy stalker or something.

P.P.S. You are welcome to like my page.  Just so you know.

29 comments:

  1. I abandoned my FB fan page... I just wasn't using it... I do keep my personal one up, and as long as I recognize who is asking, I will friend almost anyone. At this point, I'm of the opinion that if someone really wanted to find us, they could. While I'm not overly public, the only thing I really keep private is our address, and my last name on the blog (though, again, w/ FB that's pretty readily available, as well as on my email)

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  2. Haha this is hilarious because I feel the exact same way! I don't mind the publicity id blogging yet Facebook .... I don't know. I decided that life is like survival of the fittest, and its good to market yourself. I know that sounds weird, but I think you can still keep Facebook somewhat private. You don't have to share more than what's on your blog. Does that make sense? I use it to share when I have updated my blog .... but honestly life was super nice without it. I didn't really miss it - at all.

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  3. I use FB primarily as a way to keep in touch with old friends. I don't "friend" people I don't know at all, even if they are friends with lots of other people on my list. If I've been a regular reader of someone's blog and they mine, I'll friend them on FB, but I only have a few of those. I keep my settings as private as possible, only my friends can see my profile. I try not to post anything too personal on FB either, but I do post pictures. Mostly because when I find an old friend, it's disappointing to not be able to see what they and their families look like. Plus, my mom pulls pics off my FB to use in the family photo calendar and photo books she makes every year. I feel pretty trusting of the friends I have on FB. If I look at my list and realize that I have not had any personal contact (even on FB) with that particular person in a year or more, I usually delete them. I do like to spend time on FB and see what other people are up to and several of my friends and I have used it to plan girls' nights out, play groups, and other things. That's how I use it.

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  4. I have a personal Facebook page, but not a blog one. I don't have one because I'm too scared, really, to somehow (probably through my own carelessness) attract the 'real-life' people to my blog. My blog is my sanctuary. It's where I'm free to say whatever I want to say. I don't want the censorship that comes with 'real-life' people reading it. So, I don't talk about my blog, or blogs in general in the 'real-world' all in an effort to keep my privacy.

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  5. I will friend anyone on my facebook profile, but I don't have any info there that you can't already figure out from my blog (including my name). From what I understand, you can create your facebook page to be completely anonymous if you want too. Actually the only way people can connect your name to your facebook post is if you "like" your own page. (Or if you put your real name on the facebook page)

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  6. You are right--in this digital age information about all people is pretty accessible. I suppose my reluctance is more allowing those who I don't, how do I put this, place in the friend category access to so much information about my family. My personal FB account is linked to my family blog, which is public but has very strict privacy settings, and there I have thousands of pictures of my kids. I guess I don't want those seen by people who I don't trust. That was my biggest issue with creating a fan page, I didn't want it linked to my personal page. (Someone just explained it isn't so I guess I'm good there.)

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  7. Yes, my personal page is very private. Well, as much as it can be on FB. Like you, I only list certain things I am comfortable with people knowing about me. Places, birthdays, and other personal information are, therefore, not on my page.

    Thank you for this explanation! It really did help me!

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  8. Yes, FB can be private. I suppose my biggest concern is linking this blog to my personal FB account--something I don't want. But, as all of you have explained, that won't happen unless I let it. Whew.

    I do like FB in the sense of keeping in touch with those people I really adore. Like friends I've moved away from, people in the ward, and people in other countries. It's a great tool for organizing events and getting together with people I don't have numbers for. It's also the only way our families see what we are up to. If I didn't have that reason, I probably would have deleted it a long time ago.

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  9. A big reason I have not "liked" my own page. Thank you for these tips, it does help me in deciding where to go with my fan page.

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  10. Ha! Since some 'real-life' people are already reading my blog, that's not too big of an issue for me. I only have limited anonymity in the gap between blog and IRL friends; however, I do keep certain things private on this blog: my name, location, and if we ever go on vacation. I have a greater fear of this blog, and the people that read it (those I don't 'know' anyway) somehow intersecting in real life. If that makes any sense at all.

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  11. I don't have a FB page for my blog for all the reasons you mention. And I have my personal FB page as locked down as it can be. But ... let's be FB friends, okay?? (You're so well hidden I couldn't tell which Amber was you! In all your spare time (ha!), maybe you can find me?)

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  12. I am active user of Facebook (and well Twitter, as you well know). However I developed a Facebook page for three reasons: People told me that they prefer to follow blogs that way as opposed to in a reader. I can initiate discussion there, on issues that I wouldn't blog about. I can keep my Facebook profile separate from my blog. Ironically my problem is that my family doesn't know about my blog. And I prefer to keep it that way.



    I'm with Corinne, I think it's pretty easy for people to find us no matter what. However I won't accept a friend request on FB from someone I don't know at all. I need to have some kind of relationship with them.



    So far it works for me. I'm kind of using Facebook like Google Friend Connect.

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  13. I just have my personal account. No blog page. I'm not sure how I feel about them.

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  14. As you know, despite writing daily, I like my privacy. Some things (believe me) I never write about - and wouldn't. I'm not a big FB user, but it has some measure of usefulness (and fun!), but in small doses - for me.



    As for the fan page (don't like that term), I have one, and the main reason is to put up not only my blog links, but others that I find interesting, entertaining, or informative. I wouldn't mind more conversation taking place there relative to the links, but then again - I'm only on FB twice a day, briefly. "Real life" keeps me otherwise engaged.



    Overall, I'd say it's useful. And you really don't need to put any more personal information on it than you care to. (My pages are pretty skimpy. It's about privacy for myself and my kids, while still hoping to enjoy the ability to share information.)



    Good luck! (I'll "like" you too!)

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  15. Can I just copy what Stacia said on my comment? I feel like I'm getting to know many of my blogger friends and have no issues with "friending" them on FB, so if you look for Stacia, come find me too ok? :) I don't have an FB page specifically for my blog; I do publicize my posts on my own acct, and my friends/family have been following it. Figured if I can be open about my life to strangers, I might as well be with them. Although sometimes I do censor myself because of that same reason...

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  16. I echo Stacia and Justine - if you see me, feel free to friend me! :-)



    Heading over to FB now to 'Like' you!

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  17. I have a page, but I'm honestly not sure it's worth anything. Although, it might be user error, because I'm not actively letting people know about it, or getting new fans. Hmmm, maybe this blogging-on-the-cheap thing is not such a good idea. If I had a paid assistant, even for a few hours, I would probably be much more tech savvy and have more time to work on, you know, actually blogging!

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  18. Put me in the group with Stacia and Justine. And, I don't have time to maintain yet another digital outlet at the moment.

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  19. I am not on Facebook at all, but am very grateful for your post and the conversation that follows. I was recently wondering what Facebook fan pages for blogs are all about and now I know. Voila! Thank you, my dear!

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  20. I have a FB page for my blog...I use it to update those who are on FB more often than their email or feeds...

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  21. I just have my personal profile. I'm fairly open, use my full name, etc...but I have my settings such that only my friends can see photos, status updates, etc...



    I don't feel the need for my own page and never have been tempted to create one. I find that I can share everything I need to share through my personal profile, and I use Network Blogs which automatically posts a link to my blog posts where friends can see it.



    I'm not a very private person though. =)

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  22. Ironically, my fb page generally keeps me in touch with ward members. Lol

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  23. I'm with Corinne on this ... there are some things I keep private (though almost only symbolically), but generally I'm not afraid to share my name, my pictures, my everyday stories. That comfort comes easier because my last name is mine - not my husband's or my son's - so I still get to feel like I'm making that decision for myself and not for them. yet. :)

    And Amber, I'm awfully glad I made the not-a-creepy-stalker cut!

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  24. I don't have a facebook page for my blog - I should, I know. Maybe you'll motivate me - off to check out yours.

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  25. I have one for my business, but I shut my personal one down about a year ago. Now I'm not sure how to use my business one. I don't want it to turn into a personal one, where all my family and friends follow me there.



    I shut down my personal one, because it was the link between my family and my friends, which I wanted to separate. Sometimes I miss it, but most of the time I don't.

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  26. One of my intentions for 2011 is to figure out the facebook world. I have a facebook account personally, but want one for my blog. It's all a big virtual mystery to me! You're helping me to uncover the thing. Thanks!

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  27. I like Justine's response ... I believe people can find you if they want to because in the internet age it is quite easy...Please find me on FB too or I will find you.

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  28. Late to this post, so I'll just say -- I'm happy we're FB friends!

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  29. I'm such a Facebook clueless dork. It has taken me so long to figure out how to use it (if I'm even doing it right!). I have one page for my blog and attached personal account is under an alias. (Kristen Mayhem spelled backwards -- Facebook wouldn't allow Mrs.Mayhem).



    It has helped me blog traffic improve, as has Twitter (as much as I hate to admit it!).



    I'd like your page, but I doubt I can find it (back to that clueless dork comment).

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