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[CanPsychGirl]

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I kind of already know the answer to this question, but I'm curious to see how other people are handling/handled it.

A friend of mine who's about to graduate from teacher's college changed her facebook display name to her first name and her middle name, to help avoid being found by any potential employers doing an online check. This kind of got me thinking... do you think grad schools/potential supervisors do this type of thing also? Has anyone else bothered to change their display name or done something similar? My privacy settings are pretty strict for all of my online activities, so I would hope a quick search wouldn't turn up too much... but then, I guess you never know. Anyway, thoughts?

 

[PhDToBe]

i made sure all parts of my profile are designated for "only friends". i would suggest doing that. there's nothing stopping them from looking if they have an account, and they spend lots of time on a computer, anyhow. i would also make sure your default pic is appropriate.

 

[AlaskanJustin]

I kind of already know the answer to this question, but I'm curious to see how other people are handling/handled it.

A friend of mine who's about to graduate from teacher's college changed her facebook display name to her first name and her middle name, to help avoid being found by any potential employers doing an online check. This kind of got me thinking... do you think grad schools/potential supervisors do this type of thing also? Has anyone else bothered to change their display name or done something similar? My privacy settings are pretty strict for all of my online activities, so I would hope a quick search wouldn't turn up too much... but then, I guess you never know. Anay, thoughts?

yeah i think most coming out of UG should change there stuff... personally i like my site and would love them to find it, but there are like 500+ Justin Perry's so good luck with that one.

 

[KillerDiller]

I know for a fact that several professors tend to try to find prospective and current students on social networking sites. It's not usually an attempt to find out more information about someone, but rather a check to make sure students are smart enough to protect themselves and not post private information.

Thinking about this is a good habit to get into because clients will check up on you as well.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

It is important to be aware of what you put out there. I know my facebook account is limited to only friends, but I still don't put anything up that I wouldn't be comfortable a boss or co-worker seeing. Also, clients/pts may look you up, as I had that happen to me a few years ago (which is what prompted the review of my accounts on social networking sites). I used those instances as an opportunity to discuss boundaries in more detail during session, but it was also a reminder that we need to be careful with what and where we post information about ourselves.

 

[docma]

You definitely should assume that online checks may happen. One of the realities of being in professional school is that you are expected to present as a professional. And one of the realities of social networking and electronic communications is that the personal and professional boundaries can be easily breached. The world is now a small town. You don't need to become paranoid, but you need to consider the adult/professional consequences of information you make public through postings.

 

[242598]

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[PsychPhDone]

Profs and programs do look you up so be careful! 🙂

 

[erg923]

About 2 months ago there was an interesting story on NPR's Morning Edition about the decline of myspace over the past year and the differences in the socioeconomic status of teens who use myspace vs those who use facebook. Higher SES teens thought myspace was trashy and lower SES teens thought facebook was too "white." My favorite part of the story was what all the teens seemed to agreee on.....Twiter?..... Well thats just for old people.....

 

[hamsterpants]

About 2 months ago there was an interesting story on NPR's Morning Edition about the decline of myspace over the past year and the differences in the socioeconomic status of teens who use myspace vs those who use facebook. Higher SES teesn thought myspace was trashy and lower SES teens thought facebook was too "white." My favorite part of the story was what all the teens seemed to agreee on.....Twiter?..... Well thats just for old people.....

I remember that story 😛

 

[chasingadream]

Profs and programs do look you up so be careful! 🙂

When I searched my name to see what PI's might find a whole bunch a creepoazoids popped up! I hope PI's don't think that's me!

 

[cara susanna]

My FB has the maximum privacy settings because I'm afraid that, when I start to see clients, they may look me up. Not that they'd find anything interesting, mind you. 😉

 

[AlaskanJustin]

Although I am in agreement that people should be careful what they put online, but ultimately Facebook is no different then a personal web page, bio page, etc. In fact its very foreseeable that along with a PP home page you will have links to such things. I think the key is that you portray yourself on FB as you would want to be portrayed in person, i.e., professional, ethical, trustworthy, etc.

Having said this, there should also still be personal boundaries between professional and client, so maybe having a privatized page for friends and family only while a public page that is your professional page...

hmm think I might do that come to think of it.

🙂

 

[deadmau5]

lol, I just checked my settings... 'phew.

 

[Grif]

i made sure all parts of my profile are designated for "only friends". i would suggest doing that. there's nothing stopping them from looking if they have an account, and they spend lots of time on a computer, anyhow. I would also make sure your default pic is appropriate.

Seconded. I took the extra step of making my FaceBook pic friends-only and removing all pics off of myspace entirely. All my excess pics and albums are set to "Only Me" now as well. MySpace should be privatized with the default pic not of you or a really nice pic of you. Granted, the worst pic of me online is me in a Koala Hat, but I don't want to invite privacy invasions.

With this, remember to not accept anyone who isn't actually your friend -- at least during your app year. But social engineering can get them in to see your profile if they really want to.

You can also make your profile not searchable.

One good way to circumvent the normal methods of privacy invasion is by setting up a second, public account on the major social networks. Keep all posts positive and work/school related, put up a nice picture of yourself and only add reputable people/companies.

 

[childpsych479]

All my excess pics and albums are set to "Only Me" now as well.

Is this "Only Me" option for MySpace or Facebook? I've never seen anything like that on facebook, but that'd be great.

Thanks for some great suggestions!

 

[AlaskanJustin]

Seconded. I took the extra step of making my FaceBook pic friends-only and removing all pics off of myspace entirely. All my excess pics and albums are set to "Only Me" now as well. MySpace should be privatized with the default pic not of you or a really nice pic of you. Granted, the worst pic of me online is me in a Koala Hat, but I don't want to invite privacy invasions.

With this, remember to not accept anyone who isn't actually your friend -- at least during your app year. But social engineering can get them in to see your profile if they really want to.

You can also make your profile not searchable.

One good way to circumvent the normal methods of privacy invasion is by setting up a second, public account on the major social networks. Keep all posts positive and work/school related, put up a nice picture of yourself and only add reputable people/companies.

This all sounds fine and great, but there have been ample studies from computer people showing that, simply put, "Once its up, it stays up" and is accessible to all. If you want some interesting reads, Google Slashdot, and once at Slashdot.com search facebook privacy, photos etc... its truly funny how people think once you remove a picture from your album that it is permanently gone, THINK again!!!!

OH and if you think making your account not searchable and private saves you as well, think again... slashdot can explain all of this, but basically if someone wants to find your stuff that bad, they can, especially a patient...

The beauty of the internet era...

 

[AlaskanJustin]

Also, what's the point of being on a site like facebook if you arent going to let people search you??? That makes little to no sense... its a social connection site.

I think the better attitude would be to not put stupid things or very personal information on such sites, and you will be ok... like putting your phone number etc up is dumb, some debate even putting email address up as not being smart, but computer people know that it doesnt matter if it is put up for everyone to see, once you sign up for an account, that account information is fully accessible...

cheers

 

[Grif]

Also, what's the point of being on a site like facebook if you arent going to let people search you??? That makes little to no sense... its a social connection site.

I think the better attitude would be to not put stupid things or very personal information on such sites, and you will be ok... like putting your phone number etc up is dumb, some debate even putting email address up as not being smart, but computer people know that it doesnt matter if it is put up for everyone to see, once you sign up for an account, that account information is fully accessible...

cheers

I use FaceBook to connect to people, especially my friends. Real-life friends connecting on a website. They don't need to search me because they can always contact me directly or I can contact them. The only person I've added in the past 6 months is a long-lost aunt and I have no shortage of FB friends. All of them are close friends or close friend-of-a-friend that I actually keep up with.

This is the same advice I give domestic violence victims. Basically, if you know someone is looking for you, don't make it easy on them. Don't make it easy to pick out YOU from the hundreds of "Jennifer Longs" on FaceBook.

Yes, you can probably find someone's pics by looking specifically for them and possibly cached in Google. That is a different scenario then an admissions person looking you up to see "who you really are."

I looked up "Jennifer Long" on FB, and here is my summary of a few pages:

• Dressed slutty
• Transgendered
• Drinking (times like 40)
• Is a specific religion
• Has kids
• Gay
• Likes to Ski
• Just Married

Many of those things can be used to discriminate against you if you allow them to be. I'm just saying if you're applying to LaSalle, your FB pics should be you in a bikini, drinking straight from a keg at spring break Maui.

If you are genuinely concerned for having that stuff come back to haunt you, you can protect yourself rather well.

 

[AlaskanJustin]

I use FaceBook to connect to people, especially my friends. Real-life friends connecting on a website. They don't need to search me because they can always contact me directly or I can contact them. The only person I've added in the past 6 months is a long-lost aunt and I have no shortage of FB friends. All of them are close friends or close friend-of-a-friend that I actually keep up with.

Note: everything below this I generally agree with... this part is difficult because i guess it is dependent on a) who you might connect with and b) where you originate from... me clearly being mostly from alaska doesnt negate the fact that I havent lived there in 5 years, i definitely did not stay in contact with middle or high school friends, and Alaska is not the only place I have lived (even before facebook was popular). My point being it isnt as simple as having people contact me to be my friend on facebook because they do not have my contact info...

 

[Grif]

Is this "Only Me" option for MySpace or Facebook? I've never seen anything like that on facebook, but that'd be great.

Thanks for some great suggestions!

Thanks! This is for FB. I don't trust that Myspace really has their act together with privacy, so I don't have my pictures up there. Here you can see that my Wall Photos are OK for everyone to see, but I can change that by editing the Album options.

The result is exactly what I want, as this is how my profile shows up to non-friends:

Hope this helps!

 

[Grif]

Note: everything below this I generally agree with... this part is difficult because i guess it is dependent on a) who you might connect with and b) where you originate from... me clearly being mostly from alaska doesnt negate the fact that I havent lived there in 5 years, i definitely did not stay in contact with middle or high school friends, and Alaska is not the only place I have lived (even before facebook was popular). My point being it isnt as simple as having people contact me to be my friend on facebook because they do not have my contact info...

That's a good point, but everyone has to weigh for themselves. I know that my web clients look me up on LinkedIn and FB, so I'm expecting people. In the past, I have literally lost contracts because people Googled me and thought I was too ugly. Not even kidding As vain as that sounds haha!

Also, as lame as this is going to sound, it might also be an age difference thing. I'm in my mid-20s, most of my friends are mid-to-late 30s and I've only kept up with one friend from HS (known for 10 years). So I have different priorities there.

 

[AlaskanJustin]

That's a good point, but everyone has to weigh for themselves. I know that my web clients look me up on LinkedIn and FB, so I'm expecting people. In the past, I have literally lost contracts because people Googled me and thought I was too ugly. Not even kidding As vain as that sounds haha!

Also, as lame as this is going to sound, it might also be an age difference thing. I'm in my mid-20s, most of my friends are mid-to-late 30s and I've only kept up with one friend from HS (known for 10 years). So I have different priorities there.

yeah I was just making the point that it would be difficult... if you look at my account (or my friends for that instance) I have like 20? tops? I am not one of them social go-getters, I think when I broke past the 21 stage a bit ago I deleted a lot of people, I figured if they wanna be my friend they can make the effort themselves 🙂

the (maybe 2 or 3) people I keep up with that went to my high school werent even my friends in HS so I can understand your sentiments 🙂

 

[cara susanna]

You can make it so friends of friends can search you. Then there's a higher probability that people you actually know/are friends with will find you.

 

[clinicalpsyapp]

One thing I've always wondered about is if whoever is searching for you has never seen you before and only has your graduate school application to go off of, how do they know sites they find online are yours? When I google my name, which is somewhat unique, less than half of the hits are actually relating to me. I can only imagine what it's like for someone with a more generic name than mine. I mean, my facebook is still set to ultra private and I am cautious, but I've always wondered about that.

 

[242598]

One thing I've always wondered about is if whoever is searching for you has never seen you before and only has your graduate school application to go off of, how do they know sites they find online are yours? When I google my name, which is somewhat unique, less than half of the hits are actually relating to me. I can only imagine what it's like for someone with a more generic name than mine. I mean, my facebook is still set to ultra private and I am cautious, but I've always wondered about that.

I guess if some the hits were from your undergrad school or related to research you've done, then one could be fairly certain they found you.

Based on my vanity Google searches, I'm the only person in the world with my name, so I have to extra careful about what ends up online

 

[PrisonPsych]

I guess if some the hits were from your undergrad school or related to research you've done, then one could be fairly certain they found you.

Based on my vanity Google searches, I'm the only person in the world with my name, so I have to extra careful about what ends up online

Me, too. There are only 7 people alive in the world with my last name, and I'm related to all them. Wish I wasn't so easy to find, but it is what it is.