Are Social Networking Websites Safe?

With recent events highlighting the dangers of using social networking sites, we thought we'd ask you about your views on social websites like Facebook, MySpace and even The AnswerBank.

Which social networking websites do you regularly use?

	Answer	Percentage	Votes
Total: 125
A.	Facebook	42.40 %	53
B.	I only use The AnswerBank	35.20 %	44
C.	Other	10.40 %	13
D.	Twitter	4.80 %	6
E.	Yahoo! Answers	4.80 %	6
F.	Flickr	2.40 %	3
G.	MySpace	0.00 %	0
H.	Bebo	0.00 %	0

When you use social networking websites, do you feel that your personal information and other data is safe?

	Answer	Percentage	Votes
Total: 90
A.	Maybe. I think my data is safe but I don’t like giving information out anyway.	47.78 %	43
B.	I never use my real name and location when signing up to websites.	21.11 %	19
C.	Yes, but I fear that my details are used for marketing purposes.	13.33 %	12
D.	Yes, I trust the website with my data fully.	10.00 %	9
E.	No, I think my data is auctioned off to the highest bidder!	7.78 %	7

Do you worry that the people you talk to on social networking websites aren’t who they say they are?

	Answer	Percentage	Votes
Total: 86
A.	Yes, I try to distance myself from making ‘friends’ on websites because of this.	47.67 %	41
B.	Yes, but it doesn’t bother me.	31.40 %	27
C.	No, I don’t care because I’ll talk to them anyway!	19.77 %	17
D.	No, I trust people entirely.	1.16 %	1

Do you maintain private contact with people on social networking websites who you’ve never met in person?

	Answer	Percentage	Votes
Total: 90
A.	No.	55.56 %	50
B.	Yes, but only occasionally.	25.56 %	23
C.	No, but I would if I was asked.	10.00 %	9
D.	Yes, on a regular basis.	7.78 %	7
E.	Yes, but it was a one off.	1.11 %	1

Results ★

Facebook

42.40%

I only use The AnswerBank

35.20%

Other

10.40%

Twitter

4.80%

Yahoo! Answers

4.80%

Flickr

2.40%

MySpace

0.00%

Bebo

0.00%

Maybe. I think my data is safe but I don’t like giving information out anyway.

47.78%

I never use my real name and location when signing up to websites.

21.11%

Yes, but I fear that my details are used for marketing purposes.

13.33%

Yes, I trust the website with my data fully.

10.00%

No, I think my data is auctioned off to the highest bidder!

7.78%

Yes, I try to distance myself from making ‘friends’ on websites because of this.

47.67%

Yes, but it doesn’t bother me.

31.40%

No, I don’t care because I’ll talk to them anyway!

19.77%

No, I trust people entirely.

1.16%

No.

55.56%

Yes, but only occasionally.

25.56%

No, but I would if I was asked.

10.00%

Yes, on a regular basis.

7.78%

Yes, but it was a one off.

1.11%

No.

27.47%

No! Especially if I was meeting someone from The AnswerBank! They’re a bunch of nutters!

17.58%

Unsure.

14.29%

Yes, but only in a group.

13.19%

Yes, on my own.

10.99%

Yes, but only those who I have known for 1 year or more.

8.79%

No, it’s not that I don’t trust them, but the situation would make me uncomfortable.

7.69%

Would you ever meet up in person with someone from a social networking website?

	Answer	Percentage	Votes
Total: 91
A.	No.	27.47 %	25
B.	No! Especially if I was meeting someone from The AnswerBank! They’re a bunch of nutters!	17.58 %	16
C.	Unsure.	14.29 %	13
D.	Yes, but only in a group.	13.19 %	12
E.	Yes, on my own.	10.99 %	10
F.	Yes, but only those who I have known for 1 year or more.	8.79 %	8
G.	No, it’s not that I don’t trust them, but the situation would make me uncomfortable.	7.69 %	7

Stats until: 16:26 Thu 25th Apr 2024 (Refreshed every 5 minutes)