I agree, Excalpius BUT: As you increase exposure, you increase the chance of something bad happening. Whether the good outweighs the bad ... matter of opinion/fear. I like fear. Kept humanity on the planet this long.
Agreed.
Over the long term, generation to generation, communication always reduces ignorance, which reduces fear, which reduces hate, which improves the overall human condition. As the world gets smaller, racism becomes harder and harder to justify, for example.
There will always be sick people doing sick things. It's just that today, it's easier to recognize them and catch them.
And fear doesn't mean stupid. I'm not afraid of anyone or anything, but that doesn't mean I walk down dark alleys in suspect areas of town with my wallet hanging out...
The analogy holds for social networking sites etc. Don't add a friend you don't know. And even if you do, Try not to let your narcissism put your well being at risk. The only general way we can help is to educate the new social networkers on what is safe to post and what it not, and why.