MSU Mustangs,

The popularity of social media websites Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Snapchat may be connecting more than what you think. These sites serve as an online social directory that is useful to connect fellow classmates, meet new friends, stay in touch with high school buddies, or just see what is going on with people that you know. In case you are not aware of these sites, anyone with an email address can post personal information, including pictures and home addresses. The information is shared with other people, often without considering who is actually looking at the data. In an effort to ensure that you are protected against identity theft, harassment, stalking and other annoying and dangerous criminal activity, you should think before you post some information. Extreme caution should be used when posting personal information such as home addresses, phone numbers, and dates of birth. All someone needs is your name and date of birth to find your social security number, open credit card accounts in your name or even purchase a car on your credit! Most importantly, use common sense when posting pictures of yourself and friends. The last thing you want to do is allow sexual predators in the area to use your Facebook page as a supermarket for potential victims. Remember these tips and enjoy meeting and communicating with others safely!

  • Don't put an address, phone number, or correct date of birth on profiles.
  • Manage wall messages to keep out personal information.
  • Don't display a class schedule that reveals when you are and aren't at home.
  • Don't reveal information about when you or roommates will be out of town.
  • Realize the posting photographs make them public property, thus subject to reproduction.
  • Have fun. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat are great social networks and a great way to communicate, but it's open and visible to a lot more people than you might realize. Remember, there is no way to tell who has reviewed your profile.

If you have specific questions, please contact the Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Snapchat administrative offices via email on their respective pages. If you have concerns locally, please contact the Office of Student Conduct at (940) 397-6273.