Foursquare is one of those location-based social networks – could be the most popular – where you “check in” to where ever you are. Foursquare can then be linked to your Twitter account or Facebook profile to let everyone in your social circle know where you are. Right off the bat most people think this is a bad idea, why would you want to tell the public where you are at all times. Nonetheless the idea has really taken off. So much so that Facebook has even added a similar feature called Places.
As you are in fact giving out your location to complete strangers I would suggest that you take some precautions. Keep in mind I use these services and see the benefit in them, so I’m not saying avoid them, just play safe. Simple things like *never* check into your house, and try checking in when you are leaving a location. If you want to find more safety tips and trick for using these services this Google search should help.
The reason I have written this post about Foursquare today, is because I caught wind of a blog post written by a person who had one of those scary moments. I don’t know much about her, but from what she says in this blog post, she works online using Social Media tools and services all the time. She goes on to say how while out at a restaurant, after “checking in,” the hostess came to her table asking her name and then informing her she had a telephone call. She was surprised and thought it was a joke, turned out it was no joke. It was someone, who she didn’t know, that followed her online and had a creepy, disturbing message. You can read her full blog post here.
This should serve as a reality check for us all. Although most people we communicate with out there are great people, there are a few with a couple loose screws.
Obviously there are some opinions on these location-based services, so lets hear them.
