ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the production, sharing, and gathering of personal information in a culturally and historically situated context, namely, university students who used Facebook during its expansion in the late noughties. The focus of this chapter is to predates these developments, yet these respondents were coming to terms with unanticipated forms of visibility on Facebook. Facebook shared some features with other social media, such as the pervasive construction of an online presence populated by personal information. Finally, the chapter explores how as a result of peer pressure and convenience, joining Facebook became a de facto decision and it addresses how respondents came to realize that visibility was central to their interpersonal use of Facebook. Although social media like Facebook offer new opportunities for public exposure, respondents had a range of tactics at their disposal to manage their presence. Respondents felt responsible for their exposure on social media and extended this sense of responsibility to others.
