The Web site Facebook has come under intense scrutiny in the past few weeks, not by users or advertisers, but from law enforcement and college administrators.
Facebook is a popular online directory for high school and college students in which users interact by posting personal information and photographs.
Recently, the site has taken on a new role for some students - the role of "big brother."
"There have been a few situations, such as North Carolina State and Pennsylvania State, in which pictures posted on Facebook led to disciplinary action against students for underage drinking," said Justin Lawhead, associate dean of students.
This new trend of surveillance on student networks is spreading throughout college campuses across the country.
According to recent reports, students at George Washington University decided to retaliate against local authorities that had monitored Facebook in order to bust a college keg party.
The students organized a second, similar party and advertised it on the site. When the police showed up to arrest the underage drinkers, they instead found 40 fraternity brothers sitting around a large table eating cake and cookies.
The question on many students' minds is whether or not The University of Memphis will adopt a similar policy on monitoring the site.
"We are not at that point," Lawhead said. "We are simply becoming more aware and I think we have all been amazed at the explosion in use."
According to Lawhead, Facebook currently has more than 11 million registered users.
"Many Greek organizations use Facebook as a means of communication," said Whitney Rice, Greek affairs advisor. "There is a potential for problems, but we haven't had any so far."
Some students think it would be a bad idea to begin monitoring the site.
"I think that a lot of alumni would get upset if a high-profile student or athlete got into trouble because of Facebook," said Mattie Morris, a freshman secondary education major.
Others believe that it is more a matter of simple common sense.
"People who post photographs of themselves doing illegal things on the Internet are idiots and are going to get caught," said Heather Sharp, a sophomore international studies major.
Whatever stance The U of M chooses to take on this issue, the real choices are to be made by those who use the program.
"Students are going to have to use their own best discretion," Rice said. "They just have to realize that what they are putting out there is there for the entire world to see."
