Social Networking and Employees: Where Do You Draw the Line? [SearchEngineWatch]

"With the rise of social networking, employers are left wondering if or how the trend affects their bottom line. Many have decided that Facebook and MySpace in the workplace are not appropriate (for content or productivity reasons) and have banned the sites from being accessed at their offices."

Twitter is still safe but Youtube is banned at my job. They even jammed secret ninja proxy! This article makes a good point of how it's harder to monitor these activities with the mobile technology on our hips though. I remember jobs where the reps would whisper to each other about not working on their websites on the clock. Umm does thumbing a post from my cell count? :)

As already known, employers search social networks to research potential employees before the interview. Now prosecutors also search to find anything incriminating against potential criminals...

"Social networking sites are just another way that people say things or do things that come back and haunt them," said Phil Malone, director of the cyberlaw clinic at Harvard Law School's Berkman Center for Internet & Society. "The things that people say online or leave online are pretty permanent."

In the case above, the person seriously injured someone in a car accident then went to a Halloween party dressed up in prison wear. Someone else there posted pics of the party on Facebook. This situation just highlights how what we do online can help and/or hinder us. Of course this depends on what we do in the real life. Even when we are doing good though, our online profile helps us until trolls or cyber bullies decide to make trouble. It's a big risk using your actual name online too, but that's my opinion. What do you think?

"Throw a stapler at a Facebook friend, courtesy of Microsoft Office. Become a fan of Victoria's Secret Pink to discuss favorite bra colors. Show off your love for Slim Jim snacks with a virtual poke."

It's about time. Finally our "parents" in charge of the Big companies are taking notice of their kids activities and buying habits. The article below brings out how brand names like Slim Jim and Victoria's Secrets are harnessing social media and it's eyeballs. That's great since most consumers today are also spending most of their time on Facebook and Myspace. It's good seeing these business recreate themselves to adjust to today's media. The sad part is how much of TV's ad revenue is being affected right now? Would you pay to advertise online and TV?
Here's the full story:

Big-name brands booking ads on Facebook

http://blog.wired.com/business/2008/07/its-the-beginni.html

Great conversation about people who befriends everyone on www.Facebook.com or www.myspace.com . Click here: http://www.winextra.com/2008/03/27/open-memo-to-all-those-folks-friendin...

Here's my two cents on the subject:
"Ahhh. Well sorry for getting techno-emotional on you. I definitely understand your points. I'm just honestly glad that I get to pull back the curtains and see what the genius of today do when they are at work. Most of the apps I use is b/c you or shegeeks or someone else on friend feed recommends it. I'm expanding my Intelligence friending people who would normally not be my friend...That's cool!"

Great quote from this article is whether two dying companies can beget a company strong enough to compete against Google and Microsoft...

Way before music downloads and Myspace, there was a cool group of people from teenagers to old men. What am I talking about? Amateur radio. That's what started our need to "social network" From truckers to guys in their room with parts from radioshack. They had "usernames" or rather call names and to this day I come across people with ham radios in the study.

Great musician who tours thru Philly often....Check her out...