Is it safe to use Facebook in education?
This week it has been revealed in stunning videos by Channel 4 how the UK-based Cambridge Analytica used data from 50 million Facebook users to spread misinformation before the 2016 US election. As a result #deletefacebook is trending and data privacy on Facebook is unclear. In these circumstances, is it safe to use Facebook in education?
In the lights of recent events, there are three obvious implications:
- Students are leaving Facebook
- Facebook’s Conflict of interest (sell advertising vs privacy).
- Your, and your students, data is in danger of being exploited.
#DELETEFACEBOOK
Just hours after the story was known to public, people started boycotting Facebook. They found out about what had happened, voiced their concerns, and #deletefacebook is trending on Twitter.
It used to be true that all students could be reached with a Facebook page. I personally know students who own Facebook accounts simply to be a part of specific study/course groups. It keeps them in the loop. This is true no more. We see a wave of students flat out, protecting their personal information and refusing to be a part of Facebook.
What does this mean for educational institutions:
More students will refuse to have a Facebook accounts. In other words students; will be unreachable if you base communication on Facebook..
FACEBOOK’S CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Even though Facebook reacted to the scandal saying Cambridge Analytica violated its policies, there’s no need to pretend Facebook is not commercial, as it was always aiming to sell targeted advertising. They not only want but need your data. Aware or not — you participate in a business scheme. Everything you do is monitored and evaluated.
However you put it, your data is in danger and Cambridge Analytica scandal proves it. As far as you might be willing to get over the consequences for social matters, we shouldn’t be forced to use it for educational purposes. The obvious question is — is it worth it if your data might get exploited?
What does this mean for educational institutions:
You are not in control of your own data and Facebook’s mission. If you stick to Facebook, you also accept not having control of your institutions user activity data.
EXPLOITATION OF DATA
The Cambridge Analytica scandal has proven that this conflict of interest might tip to the users disadvantage. I used to be VP of Innovation for an official Facebook Marketing Partner. I have been responsible for research projects designed to (legally) exploit Facebook big data, built software on top of data data, and launch data-driven Facebook marketing campaigns.
I’m sure you played at least one game on Facebook. Might have been in a form of some quiz or “where will you move next” randomized app. To see the result or play, you had to accept the terms — which we all do. That’s how developer can get access to data not only about you, but your friends as well. What happens next? In this case it was sold/transferred to Cambridge Analytica and exploited in advertising campaign in the 2016 US elections
What does this mean for educational institutions:
Your data is in danger of being exploited by advertisers.
SO SHOULD I USE FACEBOOK IN EDUCATION?
The choice is obviously yours, but is it safe to use Facebook in Education? Based on what you just read, I suggested answering those questions before making your final decision:
- Do you understand which data is openly available about yourselves and your students?
- Do you understand and accept the same data will be used to give them targeted advertising
- Do you understand and accept the risks in potential exploitation of the same data?
If you answer yes to the points above OK for you, then it’s safe to use Facebook in your case. If not, you should be alarmed.
