4 reasons why Facebook and vanity don't mix

14.03.2011
My colleague, , has he likes to wear that basically says social networking feeds the darker sides of human nature. The shirt is a parody of a Venn Diagram and shows the relationship between sites like Facebook and Twitter to what some might called undesirable character traits, such as ADHD, stalking and narcissism.

Now there is research to back up what the shirt says. A published this month in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking finds women who base their self worth on their appearance tend to share more photos online and maintain larger networks on online social networking sites. Researchers say the results reveal women identify more strongly with their image and appearance, and use Facebook as a platform to compete for attention.

We all want to put our best foot forward on social networks, but there are some things done in the name of vanity that can actually get you into trouble. Here's a rundown of how certain self-centered behaviors can leave you vulnerable to crime.

The aforementioned study highlights what most Facebook members already know: Facebook is a forum where most users seek to showcase the best of themselves. For many, that means photos of you looking great, or in glamorous situations (think on vacation, or posing with many people at a party).