'Face-stalking' becoming the norm among Facebook users | News

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- Facebook is one of the most popular social media hangout spots on the Internet.

"Yea I do it," said Linda Okeke UNC Charlotte student.

After all, it's a place where we can stay in touch with family and keep track of our thousand friends.

"I see first of all if we have any friends in common and then I see where they're going to school," said Heather Elliot.

Some of us use it to sift through strangers' pictures and comments. Come on we all do it. 

But why do we?

"If they are the kind of person they say they are," said Okeke.

We are, as a recent survey by Harris Interactive calls facestalkers.

"Maybe after I met them and I kind of see what they're like but definitely not before that's a little creepy," said Elliot.

Once we find out someone's name, it's not their family tree you're interested in.

We go straight to their Facebook profile page.

"My students call it creeping," said Associate Professor of Psychology, Dr. Anita Blanchard.

And it's a beloved activity by many.

"You can find out more information that would take a little longer than you'd find through your friends," said Dr, Blanchard.

OK so we are nosy but is it a healthy practice?

"You're making interpretations and you may interpret them in the wrong way or interpret them in a way that's more like yourself then like them," said Dr. Blanchard. 

So while we track someone's movements on Facebook remember the site is public so someone could be tracking us.

You never know who is watching.

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