Blog Entry #1 
Facebook on the Big Screen

The new movie, The Social Network, is a drama based on the founding of the popular social networking site, Facebook. The movie chronicles the early struggles of founder Mark Zuckerberg as he and his colleagues were establishing the billion-dollar business that we know today.

We often don't think about how Facebook is a business. Have you ever noticed how the advertising along the sides of your profile page somehow relate to your hobbies, education, or interests? There is sophisticated programming that picks up on personal information and matches it with advertisers. Although Facebook may seem like a playful social networking tool, there are BIG corporate interests in your profile, not for your social calendar and friends' list, but as a consumer to whom to sell! Earlier this year, Facebook instituted new privacy setting which gave uninvited people, including advertisers, privy to personal information and photos. This was worrisome to many users and caused the formation of groups in protest to this breech in personal privacy.

In a 200 to 300 word blog entry, discuss the ways in which you protect your privacy on social networking sites, such as Facebook. Why is it important to protect your information from uninvited eyes and advertisers? Create an image that illustrates your response.