Facebook, Twitter, Google- web companies and social networking sites have become major sources of concern. They are so complex and detailed that many users fail to realize what exactly they're signing up for. Although there are pros and cons to almost anything connected to the Internet, the larger Internet companies consistently take a lot of heat for having hidden loopholes and storing, as well as using, users' personal information. The media has caught wind of situations where these sites have become dangerous and potentially harmful to users. We've all heard of stories of cyber bulling and cyber stalking, but does allowing these web companies access to personal data actually help more than it hurts?

As a member of Facebook and a frequent Google user, I try to be cautious. I don't add strangers to my friends list. I don't put my phone number in my status'. And I don't put my address in my profile. But that doesn't mean that I'm completely safe from the outside world. Personally, I don't obsess about the fact that some of my personal information is floating around in cyber space, but I know many people that do. With stories like "The Craigslist Killer" and the several reports of teenage suicides involving cyber bullying, users have a right to be hesitant about giving out their personal data, but they must also realize that companies use that information for good reasons too.

In an article on Slate.com titled "No More Privacy Paranoia," Slate's technology columnist, Farhad Manjoo, points out all the benefits of web companies collecting information about people. Often times, the data that is collected can't be traced back to an individual. For example, when conducting a search on Google, your word or phrase often appears before you finish typing it. This is because Google keeps tack of popular searches from around the world. Also, Google corrects spelling mistakes. Manjoo uses the example of Rebecca Black. If you type in "Rebeca Blacke," it will still lead you to the right person. "Since Google has stored lots of other people's search requests for Black, it knows you're looking for the phenom behind 'Friday'," Manjoo explains. In addition, Google has the ability to recognize synonyms. It knows that the words "murder" and "homicide" have the same meaning. Not to mention that Google can detect large-scale security threats aimed at Web servers, create real-time traffic reports, and monitor the flu epidemic.

I'm not a Twitter user, but I do use Facebook. I know that I've personally connected with a lot more people by sharing simple things like my favorite books and movies and my school. I've found friends from high school, friend from when I was little, and family members half-way across the world. With three of my best friends stretching from Illinois to Florida to Berlin, it's hard to communicate without Facebook. I would rather share a little information (which is rather basic) than be socially isolated. Okay, I know that sounds pretty exaggerated (I tend to do that a lot), but seriously, Facebook makes life so much easier when it comes to keeping in-touch with family and friends. Manjoo points out that "every year or so, the media and activists get exercised over some new and alarming slight by the social-networking company. Yet our actions belie our concerns; while we all holler about how much we hate Facebook, none of us quit it--and, in fact, hundreds of thousands more keep signing up."

Many people who know me would agree that I suck at making decisions. I prefer to stay neutral. So of course, in this argument, I can't exactly pick a side. I agree that many web companies exploit people, but these companies can also use their powers for good. I guess the only solution is that people need to be cautious when giving out personal info (use common sense), and web companies need to be monitored by the Federal Trade Commission and other authorities.