Social Networking Privacy and the Need for Network Separation

Recently the launch of Google Buzz has added further flames to the fire of Social Networking privacy, especially after Facebook's own privacy revision and requirement for users to ensure that they have correctly funneled their photos, updates and posts to the "right" people.  Which raises an interesting thought - rather than establish a self-defined filtering system for your every social networking action and quip why not just be mindful of your actions and what you say.. kind of like real life.. or what real life is supposed to be. Nah. That'd be too hard for people.  Maybe there's another alternative.

I totally agree that privacy controls are necessary but at what stage will you require a PhD to "configure" your social network settings.  What happened to the days of "Public" and "Private"?  Yes - I would like to show my photos to everyone  No - I only want people that I have approved to be my friend to see my photos.  Now Facebook gives you the option to control what your family, friends, classmates, colleagues and church groups see of your profile.  Wow - overload!  Google Buzz took a step further and just threw all your email contacts into the Buzz pot causing worlds to collide! 

Well here's the alternative - Separate all your social groups into different networks.  That'll save you from accidentally exposing your party photos to your boss and worse.  We already do our best to ensure that our various social groups in our life are largely separate.  One overarching network to rule them all?  That's like putting all your ex-girlfriends in the room with your wife and kids and then having your work colleagues around to spectate.  I think FacebookFail does a great job of highlighting what happens when these social groups collide... particularly when broadcasting uncensored, off-the-cuff remarks. 

Consider how the following Social Networks can neatly be categorised with each adopting a particular tone, rules of appropriateness and clear guidelines of what is acceptable behaviour:

• Social Networks for Pet Owners
• Family Friendly Social Networks
• Social Networks for Religious Groups
• Social Networks for Professionals

While privacy controls ARE critical so is the separation between our different personalities within the social groups we participate in.  At least it's one way to save us from ourselves.