It is predicted that by the end of 2012, Facebook will reach one billion users. That is one out of every seven people in the world. Its growth has been absolutely staggering (it launched just eight years ago), though its rapid rise in an increasingly unsafe and unregulated Internet environment has raised some important questions.

A Facebook page contains details that chronicle nearly every aspect of one's life through photos, videos, comments, status updates, and "Likes". With Facebook's new Timeline feature, a relatively accurate portrait of person's life can be easily pieced together in just minutes. Further, the longer one uses Facebook, the more personal the information becomes. Universities and employers see websites like Facebook and Twitter as treasure troves of personal information. The information is so valuable that some have begun to require that one surrenders their username and password in the application process.

Gov't agencies, colleges, demand applicants' Facebook passwords

Imagine that you are applying to an international middle school at the end of this year (as many of you will be). It is one of Korea's top schools and you have passed the test and interview process in which you informed the interviewer of all the social networking sites you use. In the final stage, the school requires that you provide your username and password for your Facebook/Google+/Twitter/Cyworld accounts so that they can browse your personal information. Would you provide them with the information? What if it was Harvard? Defend your position.

Optional: Does this request violate citizens' rights?

-Brenden Lee Teacher

#38, Facebook