I long had a love-hate relationship with the internet specifically social networking. Before I also have a (currently-nonexistent) Friendster. I also was invited by a relative to join Facebook. I had it for 3 days, but I didn't understand it. There are applications blinking on the wall like someone wants to give u a hug; someone wants to tickle you today. I deleted my Facebook account. I also got tired of Friendster with absolute strangers requesting to be friends and using it as a tool for other people to compare their lives. I eventually I deleted my Friendster account too.
When I attended the World Youth Day in 2008 in Sydney, Australia, I met some new friends and to exchange pictures and update ourselves, we opened a Multiply account. I like Multiply. It was a bit private coz not everyone has a Multiply. It also has a venue where you can blog. I always wanted to blog because I was inspired by bloggers like Bianca Gonzales and Patty Laurel. But then there is that should-i-or shouldn't-i-question? I value my privacy but I also love to write and share some great discoveries that I have. Some people assumed that blogging especially if you are a personal blogger, a fashion or beauty blogger, that you can be a bit narcissistic because you talk about yourself or you pose your daily outfits for others to view. But you can't accuse Maricel Laxa, Lucy Torres or other lifestyle writers with columns in newspapers of being narcissistic when they talk about their daily routines, a glimpse of their life (domestic & others) and what-nots. So yes, I might be private but I also love to write & share and since I got no columns in any newspaper, blogging is a perfect avenue for me to a least to express my passion to write. It's not all about fame, baby. I then transferred my blog entries from my Multiply to Blogspot after some encouragement from my sister who have a blog too. Plus some people who reads your blog assumes they know everything about you already but the truth is, "wise" bloggers (I hope I am one of them, hehe) know what to put out there and what to keep.
In 2009, I went to attend my friend's wedding in the States. I was encouraged to join Facebook. They said, it is the in-thing plus I can view our picture through there. So I did. I never deactivate my account since. It has helped me get in touch with my long lost friends, manage to stay in touch with my family & friends and it was through Facebook, my fiance & I "properly"met. I eventually joined Twitter. Though I did deactivated it 2x because I didn't understand it and I didn't see the point. But then again I re-joining Twitter, I realize it was fun too. I get the latest news, get to ask or exchange some chats with some people I admire & respect and I also manage to find new friends through Twitter.
But social networking also a dark side. I have heard of cyberbullying from other people especially celebrities. I think people who do that are insecure people who envies the people that they are bullying and are people who have nothing to do at all. I am fortunate that I have not experience it or never wish to experience that.
However, late last year, I discovered another evil of social networking: Impersonation. I discoverd another twitter account in my name!!! The profile pic was my picture and the background picture is me & my fiance. My heart pounded so hard that day. It is the same feeling like I have lost my iphone. . Some have stolen my identity! Under my complete name was her account name @WhitingDerrbsm and her description: Charlotte, Driven. Loving. Hardworking. Engaged. Doglover. Social. Cuban. Russian. Sweden. Fashion. Make-up. Homestyling. Cooking. Blog. I didnt write that! I was shaking! I don't want to be misrepresented. I saw details of "her" tweets. I assumed she is a foreigner and apparently doesn't have any good pictures of herself. I am secretly glad she is not one of those who says provocative remarks or sells herself in the net while using my name. I saw a twitter account made using Bianca Gonzales name with @HornyHeiress as its twitter code and with a description of Come Boys, Boys, Boys. I think that is very unfair for Miss Gonzales who I believe is quite an admirable and respectable lady. Another example of Impersonation. So sad.
Upon seeing this, I wrote to Twitter. This is an attempt to guide those who will encounter this problem in the future (I pray no more victims of this, though).
1. Go to Help
2. Go to report a violation
3.Go to Impersonation Policy
4. Read the article careful
5. Click the link: Submit a ticket request
6. Answer the questions properly and send
7. You will received an email from one of the Twitter agent.
8. You will need to fax in a photocopy of your identification card with attention to the Twitter agent within 48 hours.
9. Once they received it, they will take down the impersonators account immediately.
Which in my case, they did! Thank you, Twitter! Thank you BillyPilgrim727! Impersonation is a crime and anyone caught will be put on jail for that. Remember that, guys!
I know by putting too much information about ourselves on the net could have its dangers and disadvantages. Yes, it is how the world communicates nowadays, we just have to be extra cautious and not go to an absolute social-networking abstinence campaign. Though, I don't know maybe one of these days I will again go M.I.A from the cybersphere when I get tired of it, hehe.... We will see, hehe.
Like life, cyberspace also have the good, the bad and the ugly.... It is our choice to retreat, surrender or fight heads on....
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