Protect your privacy on Facebook

The recent uproar over Facebook using our photos in ads pointed out just how much personal information we have handed over to a company where the average age of employees is 26. Facebook denies any wrongdoing, but you should be in full control of your photos and information. As with most privacy issues, this one can be controlled with Facebook settings. To change this particular setting, go here.

But how did we get here in the first place? A year ago, many older Americans cited privacy as their main concern about joining Facebook. Since then, 150 million people, many of them older, have joined the giant peephole.

What changed?

Emily Nussbaum of New York magazine wrote a story called "Say Everything" a year ago that described the biggest generation gap since the early days of rock 'n' roll. One on side, kids who show everything. On the other, adults who are horrified by that. (The story, featured in "The Best Technology Writing 2008," begins with a 20-something saying, "Yeah, I am naked on the Internet.")

The graying of Facebook tells us that many new users are those same adults who were just on the sidelines warning the kids about telling too much. There are now more people over 55 on Facebook than there are high school students.

It would be nice to report that our newfound confidence in Facebook and other social networks is well-earned. That social media is growing in its ability -- and willingness -- to protect our information. The opposite is true. A new study from Cambridge shows the competition among social networks has pushed them to ignore and even hide privacy issues in an effort to grow users base and explore advertising. 

The answer, as is often the case, is caveat emptor. (That's Latin for watch your backside.) As I mentioned above: 

Privacy is not a big generalized abstraction; it's the privacy settings on your Facebook account. 

And this is where the dangerous part of the generation gap truly exists. For while many of us adults have gotten past our privacy fears, not enough of us have actually addressed them. Many young people are, in fact, smart enough to hide their party pics from potential employers. (The Facebook party pic at right of British celeb Kelly Kelly, on the left, caused a tabloid sensation in Britain. She didn't mind, but do you want a photo of yourself in this situation viewed by your church members or boss?) But the recent converts now gleefully posting their innards online might not have learned how to hide what strangers don't need to see. If you have a sinking feeling in your gut, read this guide to Facebook privacy settings now. Top tips: Hide certain photos, remove yourself from Facebook searches, and make sure no one can tag you in an album. 

If what you're worried about most is identity theft and money loss, you can look into the idea of getting a credit freeze. Find more information here. 

I'm glad more adults are exploring Facebook. I hope they fully explore the privacy settings first.