Online Privacy

According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, privacy is being apart from other groups or people or in seclusion. It is independence from unwanted infringement. Within my life, privacy is very important. I come from a close family who always wants to be in others’ business. It is hard to have private thoughts or conversations, which makes us close but comical. Online is where I am the most cautious with my privacy. Even on my Facebook I don’t allow strangers to see my page, only my picture. I tend to use fake or similar information online unless I am making a purchase or online banking. Even then I make sure that there is an https: and not an http: present to make sure it is a secure connection. My preteen cousin has no sense of privacy whatsoever. On her Facebook (which I still think she is too young to have) she posts everything about herself. She has no realization of the dangers of doing that. When I talked to her about it she shrugged me off so I think in time she will understand where I am coming from. The only time she is concerned with privacy is when she asks her mom if she can order something online. Anytime a website asks for a credit card number she exits the window. Other than that, my preteen cousin exposes sensitive information about her and her family on Facebook and other websites.