Quick Poll: 86% don't lock status updates!!

Yesterday, while writing my research paper I came across a research that studied a correlation between activity and privacy. The research had found that the users who frequently engage in content-contributing activites on Facebook, are more likely to modify their settings, than those who share on the site less frequently. Furthermore the research indicated:

"This makes sense given that those who regularly post content may be more conscious of their audience, i.e., who might see the content they are publishing and also how this content might be perceived."

I disagree. Even though that there are statistics to prove otherwise. And I want to incorporate this in my research paper. So I did a quick poll where I asked Facebookers:

Do you lock your status updates?

This is what they answered:

44) No. I didn't know you could lock them. And why would you - what is the purpose?

answering 44): To group the updates, so the messages you send our is targeted a specific audience, and only them can read.

45) No

46) No

47) No, I didn't know you could do that.

48) No, I didn't know you could do that either.

49) No, I had no idea you could do that

50) Yes

51) Nope

52) No

53) No... locking? or reading? I read... I had no idea you could lock the status update!

54) No I don't

55) No, I didn't know that it was an option

56) Nope

57) Nay

58) Yes

59) No

60) I don't. I have only "censored" by status updates once. I guess it's because of laziness (amount of time it takes to think about who I want/don't want to see, plus actually clicking the button) LAZY! :) And then, I'm not offended to see others' status updates that I know don't include me. Once again, people can always hide you or unfriend you if they tire of your updates.

question for 60):  so you arent concerned with people seeing the content of what you are posting?

60) No--I am who I am. I'm certainly not perfect and it's a lot less work just saying it then trying to keep up a facade!!! See, Lazy! :)


61) I didn't know you could lock your status updates!

62)  I've blocked a couple of status updates, either for specific groups, or specific people. I do this when it is something either very personal, that I don't want the entire FB world to know, or honestly, I've done it when the status involved a specific group and/or person.

63)  lol didnt know you could do that! =)

64)  Wow...didn't know you could even do that. Might be fun to try, now that I know. Hmmm, so that means my kids can lock me from seeing their status updates??? That shouldnt be right. Well least not the 2 still at home



In total 21 answered the poll. 

said no: 18
said yes: 3
said they didn't know that it was an option: 9


In percentage that means that:

86% said that they don't lock the status update 
14% said that they do,  
and 43% indicated that they didnt know it was an option.

Writing it up

My research paper is due on Wednesday. This is where and how  I am spending my days until then....

Choose your audience: Locking your status update

In my research I discovered that one reason why users create an imagined audience is because they are not aware of the privacy settings on Facebook. For instance how to lock your status update so only certain people can view it. So instead of locking the status update and direct the status update to the intended group, the user sends it to the entire invisible audience and creates an imagined audience. Another reason for not locking your status update, besides not being aware of the possibilty, is laziness... 1) because it is a big project to group your friends, especially if you have +300. 2) Some people like to update on the go, and it has to be immediate quick updates, and then it is quicker just sending the update out into the void with the imagined audience.


Anyway, for those, who would like to know how to lock the status, here is how:

Next time you would like to lock your status update so only certain people can view it, click on the little lock on the bottom of the status field. When you do, the following window will appear:

Now this is the part where you will decide exactly who does, and who DOESN'T see your post. Click on "edit" next to "Custom." Another window will appear like this:

Now, you will notice a convenient text box for "Hide this from." In that box, type the names or the group of people you want to hide the status update from, then click "Save Setting." You can also choose make this visible to.. and then type in the names of people or the name of the group you have created. That's it, now type your status, and post it. If by now you are thinking... Great, but how do I group my friends? Dont worry. I have found a great directory right here.

Presentation on my research

Tomorrow I am giving a presentation on my research. Here is my power point presentation:

Concept of imagined audience

View more presentations from Martine Gjede.