Social Networking websites has become very popular recently and it's rare to find someone who doesn't use any of those popular social networking websites these days. Anyway, as any other technology, this one also comes with so many potential dangers and threats. Necessary precautions must be taken while using these websites. It's a fact that these websites are fun and a great tool to communicate, at the same time there are many other dangers embedded with it. In this article, I would like to share some precautions which should be taken while using a social networking website.

1. Never Share too much Personal Information over the internet

I've seen people sharing too much information about themselves on social networks. They often includes their full address, phone number etc. and the worst part is that they set this visible to the public. What's the problem with sharing address? Well, as we all know many criminals and terrorists are now depending on these websites and it's necessary to keep your information away from them. Also, there are so many kinds of people out there and it's safer to keep your personal details private and the bigger question is - What is the benefit in displaying your personal information out in the open?

2. Do not Send/Accept friend requests from strangers

For some people it's like a competition to get the most number of friends in their profile and they accept requests from total strangers. Also, it's now a habit to fool others by creating a fake account and adding them as friends. Anyway, this should not be promoted. I've heard that popular social networking websites are now trying to find and delete such fake accounts and that is definitely appreciable. By adding a new friend you're giving that person more freedom to enter into your account. So only add friends who are really your friends.

3. Do not add others photos without their permission

People are careless about adding photos to networking sites. They add pictures of their friends, families, colleagues etc without getting their permission. This is wrong. When you're adding images of other people, especially while adding it in public, you should get the permission of the concerned persons.

4. Only share the minimum information to the public users.

It's recommended that you make everything of yours private (I'd say make things visible only to friends, not even to 'Friend's friends'). When you do things in private mode you'll feel more comfortable in talking and sharing stuff as no one else other than your close ones know it.

5. Don't spend too much time before the computer

Social Networking has become an addiction. Some people spend hours before social websites wasting time and money in a very unproductive way. In many cases, networking websites are no longer a communication tool but a stage to get the attention of the fellow users.

6. Value your real life relationships more than your online relationships.

Image courtesy of adamr / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The real life relationships are more useful and fruitful than any other online friendship. Since all tools and technology are available on cell phones many people stay online all the time chatting with other online friends. I've came across many guys who doesn't pay much attention to the people sitting next to him but will be busy chatting on the phone. It is a very bad habit.

7. Clear your browsing history, cache etc. while leaving an internet cafe

If you use networking websites in a cafe be sure to clear your browsing history, cache and all other such data from the computer. Because you have no idea who'll be using the computer after you and it's safe to prevent him/her from accessing your information. I'll be writing an article in future which shows how to delete the browsing history and all other such information from a computer effectively.

8. Consult a therapist if you think you’re addicted to social networking websites

You should consider consulting a therapist if you think you’re addicted to social networking websites. The study shows that people with anxiety, stress, depression and a feeling that he cannot maintain real life relationships are more addicted to online social websites than others. If that’s the case then he/she should definitely get some kind of treatment.

9. Use it in your free time, do not sacrifice other activities for being online.

Do not sacrifice your valuable time using social networking websites. Also, don’t stay online sacrificing your sleep. Internet and computer have changed the lives of people dynamically and people often spend nights before the computer without getting proper rest or sleep and that will affect their daytime activities.

10.  Just sign up on one or two networking websites at a time

Don’t sign up on each and every website a come across. Instead, choose one or two websites which you think is the best for you. There are so many networking sites these days and not all of them are safe and secure.

Social Networking is definitely a great tool to stay in touch with our friends and to find and reconnect with our old and long lost childhood friends. Anyway, from a communication platform it has grown to place where people hang out and pass the time. The technology is rapidly developing and we cannot guess what these websites will offer in future. Anyway, the ultimate aim of these websites is profit as they’re owned by commercial companies. They’ll introduce new features and tools to make the user glued to their website as it’ll get them more and more profit. It’s the duty of each individual to set limits on his online use and presence. There might be a lot going online but there are more interesting, exciting and adventurous things happening outside our computer room. Spending entire day chatting online, watching movies and browsing the web will make you isolated from the real world and turn you into a machine. So make sure that you don’t sacrifice your real life for the sake of social networking websites.

It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity. -Albert Einstein