Some times it is great to find out that you are wrong.

A new study shows that those under 30 are very aware of the hazards to reputation and privacy in social networking—and are savvy enough to be aggressive in monitoring not only what they write but what others write as well.

This suggests that both the users and social networking are maturing.

They are not maturing as fast as would be wise but their awareness and assertiveness is the single best sign that privacy issues now are becoming clear and important to them.

This story says that the 30-and-under crowd is more engaged in privacy-protection than older adults.

The wrong people have been worrying about the wrong people, it appears. If you are over 30, maybe you need to examine how careful you are about your social network privacy status.

It is a lot of work.

The New York Times

…”The conventional wisdom suggests that everyone under 30 is comfortable revealing every facet of their lives online, from their favorite pizza to most frequent sexual partners. But many members of the tell-all generation are rethinking what it means to live out loud.

“While participation in social networks is still strong, a survey released last month by the University of California, Berkeley, found that more than half the young adults questioned had become more concerned about privacy than they were five years ago — mirroring the number of people their parent’s age or older with that worry. (Emphasis added)

“They are more diligent than older adults, however, in trying to protect themselves. In a new study to be released this month, the Pew Internet Project has found that people in their 20s exert more control over their digital reputations than older adults, more vigorously deleting unwanted posts and limiting information about themselves. “Social networking requires vigilance, not only in what you post, but what your friends post about you,” said Mary Madden, a senior research specialist who oversaw the study by Pew, which examines online behavior. “Now you are responsible for everything.” (Emphasis added)

Source: New York Times, May 8, 2010