For those that are upset that the
love of your life left you for a more attractive person, or your ex-best friend
is more popular than you ever imagined; and it just burns you up. Perhaps you
wish to let all of your friends know about an party where underage drinking
will take place; whatever the case may be, if you have ever broadcast your
despise for others over the web, it may be time for you quit now while you’re
ahead. And by the way, if you’re dumb enough to display your criminal
activities on the web, watch your back! The police are right on your “cyber-trails”.
Now more than ever, police are using social media to catch criminals and
bullies on the web. (See video called "Cyber Police and Social Media")
Through
social media websites such as Twitter, MySpace, and Facebook, and with the
assistance of Blackberry Messenger, police are able to track and prevent the
activity of criminals. In 2011, during the Super Bowl, police were able to use
facial recognition programs, and software alike, to catch 19 criminals that
attempted to enter the stadium. Police all over the world are taking advantage
of social media sites to further their attempts to make our neighborhoods and
communities safer. (Click here to seethe article on how London uses facial recognition to catch looters.)
Bullying
people through social media is considered cyber-bullying. When users abuse
their privileges via social media sites attacking others, it hurts, and it
affects more people than just the person intended. On a lighter note, to help
battle against cyber-bullying, there is some software that parents can
purchase. During my research, I found a website where users can download
software that enables them to click a cyber-bully icon uploaded to their Menu
bar or Tool bar, and it sends an email or instant message that takes a picture
of your computer screen with the content in question. (Click here to view the CyberBully Alert software.)
