25th Aug 2009
Social Networks Still Require You To Be Vigilant
The following was posted by a friend on Facebook. I’m reposting w/permission – removing the person’s identity - as I feel this is a very important message that reminds us to be vigilant on Social Networks:
Let’s face it, social networking sites have enabled people coming together like never before. I have met many wonderful people. I am appreciative of all the people who have come my way. I have struck up friendship with many fascinating people. I look at each opportunity to get to know each person as an opportunity to broaden my horizons.
I am an optimistic person and I know that I am often more trusting than I should be with people. On another social network I became acquainted with this guy in Texas. LET ME STRESS THAT I MAKE NO BONES ABOUT BEING MARRIED AND NOT LOOKING FOR ANYTHING BUT FRIENDSHIP. I have not met him in person and really have little desire to go out of my way to meet him, unless I would be in Texas for some reason.
He found me on MySpace and I thought including him in my friend’s list was innocent enough. He was going through a divorce. He said was depressed and distraught. He send me messages he was thinking about ending his life. I felt sorry for him. After a while of communicating with him a few days he shared his email with me and asked me to email him so he “could just talk.” When I developed my Facebook profile he found me there. I thought OK, that it was still innocent enough.
We talked about innocent stuff. He is into the same hobbies also. I mentioned to him one time about a problem I had. The conversation continued off and on. One time I explained that I was cautious about a particular part of my hobby. His reply caught me off guard. He said, “Don’t do it unless I was there with you.” I immediately thought “What? There with me? What? He is in Texas. I am in Connecticut. I am married!”
That is when I backed off. I didn’t talk with him about it, I didn’t really talk with him about anything after that.
Whenever I signed on to Myspace or Facebook or the other social network, he was there. I would try to get me into chat. Finally, I had enough. I had explained to my husband all along what was happening. I am grateful I never shared a lot of contact information with him. I have no idea what the motivation is of this guy. It could be purely innocent. I don’t know and I don’t care. I have blocked him everywhere as of this morning, Myspace, Facebook, the other social network, and email.
His intentions may be innocent, I don’t know. However, I have no desire to find out at this point. I discussed what has happened with my husband and he is supporting my actions 100%.
Remember, if it smells like fish, it usually is fish.
The simple fact is that we can’t be sure about people we meet on Social Networks (their intentions, etc.) unless we actually know the person. Like meeting a person in real life, you will need to be vigilant & follow your gut instinct until the relationship is strong enough to have real trust.
No Responses »
No comments yet.
TrackBack URL
Leave a Response