Twitter. What started off as a simple and fun way to keep in touch with friends, has taken over technology like a swarm of migrating birds. Now, with thousands of websites using it, wireless internet almost everywhere, and phones that can access internet, twitter has expanded so that you can be informed of every menial activity taking place.

Twitter, for those of you who aren’t familiar with it, is like a combination of Facebook and texting. It’s like texting in that you can do it from your phone and you can choose whom you follow or who sees your twitter statuses. It’s like Facebook because you can follow an author or online groups that will post tweets, often in the form of updates, directly to your phone via text messages. It’s also like updating your Facebook status, only you do it frequently.

Twitter has become a fad with the younger generation. Yet, one thing few anticipated was the danger twitter, and other such technology that allows frequent status updates, possessed. People don’t think of the dangers of posting on their Facebook wall about how excited they are to go on vacation or how much they don’t want to make that Walmart run. Sometimes, these simple status updates are all a thief or rapist needs to know.

Online security is becoming a growing threat. Now, it is easier than ever before to know exactly where all your friends are and what they are doing. The trouble is, most people don’t realize the danger of it because they view these social networking mediums as way to connect with friends. After all, you can trust your friends, right? Well . . . not always. Statistics show people that knew their victim commits approximately two out of three cases of rape. Thus, twittering, or posting a Facebook status such as, “Kelley Long is now headed to the parking lot to get in her car,” is not a smart idea.

If you really want to be safe in the online world, you should never make comments, update statuses, or twitter about your location or something you are doing that might notify others of your location. Also, try to only have friends you trust that follow your statuses, whether on Facebook, twitter, or some other medium. The new world of technology poses dangers but if used safely, can actually be used to protect you. Technology like security alarm systems do an excellent job of protecting homes and people. Don’t give up on technology or declare it all evil just yet. Stay technology savvy. Give it a chance to protect you first.

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categories: Twitter,online safety,technology,communications,home security,social networking,computers,internet,cell phones,texting,online chatting