Big Picture Image

As I tweeted, yesterday, apparently not even the head of such a preeminent spy organization as Great Britain’s MI6 can handle a Facebook page. Lady Shelley Sawers, wife of MI6 head Sir John Sawers not only posted vacation photos, but also included details of where they live, their children and the identities of several high-powered friends. Furthermore, her page was open to everyone in the London network and anyone can claim to be in the London network regardless of their actual location.

Jon and I have seen so many people post careless or downright reckless information on their social media pages. Lady Sawers’ incident simply highlights the large information/education gap for many users of social media. Countless Facebook, Twitter and MySpace users don’t seem to grasp the impact of these sites and what it can do to their lives and those around them.

Social Media is a blunt tool. It will spread information, good or bad – a double-edged sword that is as powerful as it is unmerciful. Its power lies in instant communication that will just as easily help you promote your business and keep up with friends as cause you to loose your job or damage your reputation.

Situations like Lady Sawers’ not only cause needless destruction to someone’s life, but also create fear. Social media is nothing to shy away from, when used intelligently these communication tools will provide more positives than negatives. In the coming months Big Picture Image will begin offering social media services. We not only want to help people avoid such unnecessary pitfalls, but also to aid clients in using social media to its full potential.

Stay tuned, more updates to come.