Personality Analysis Through Your Social Networks

A recent study by the University of Maryland indicates that your personality type may be predictable just by viewing your social networking sites. Click the link to see an article that references the study.

Those who use social networks beware, for years Internet safety experts, including me, have been telling people, mainly children, to be cautious about what you post to your social networking sites.

Employers and school administrators have been using what you post when they are considering you for hire or admission. The University of Maryland study helps validate their practice by saying that they found they were able to predict what you would score on a standard personality test within 10 percentage points. Companies and schools could see vast cost savings if the analysis of your social networking sites is easier and cheaper than administering the test and analyzing the results.

I also have concerns on what people have posted in the past. Through data mining sites that have historical social networking information anyone has the ability to look into your past and get glimpse into your personality changes through life. This data mining of past posts on social networks is more widely known that a couple years ago. I have heard of people that know their sites are being checked when they apply for a job and are structuring their sites to present their best side. Nothing wrong with that, but whats to keep someone from embellishing the truth and crossing the line to flat out lying about themselves. If employers are relying solely on what they find online about someone they to are taking a risk.

The recommendations haven't changed but they are more and more important as time passes. Be cautious about what you post online. Be careful about who you give access to view your networks. Keep your social sites limited to family and close friends, not everyone you meet.

Use Linkedin or other work related networking sites for your professional side and the same rules apply. Be cautious about what you post and who can access your information.

Lastly, research yourself regularly. See what others can find out about you and protect your identity by taking steps to get unwanted data off the net. It takes time, perseverance and patience but it can be done.

www.internetsafetyconsulting.net