Only half (51%) of the people surveyed always use their real name on social networking sites.

[prnewswire] Only half (51%) of the people surveyed always use their real name on social networking sites. Eighteen percent said they always use a nickname. A third (31%) said they sometimes use their real name and sometimes use a nickname to identify themselves on social networking sites, according to a survey of 1,040 Americans sponsored by the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies.

"Twitter, Facebook and Foursquare have created new social media risks and an environment where many people don't know who they are talking to online. They don't realize who can see their location, creating many exposures for individuals and companies," according to Kenneth Goldstein, worldwide media liability manager at Chubb.

Does everyone know where you are?

Two-thirds (66%) of respondents said they would not use mobile technology that shows people on social networking sites where they are located.

"Although this lets your friends know where to find you, it also alerts criminals of your whereabouts, including when to burglarize your empty home," said Goldstein.

Negative experiences?

Nearly 20% of respondents said they have shared a negative product or service experience with others on Facebook, YouTube or other social networking sites.

Social networking at work?

Almost two-thirds (64%) of respondents said their company had no policy for talking about the company on social networking sites. Of the 36% who said their company had a policy, 18% said they were encouraged to talk about the company and 18% said they were prohibited from talking about the company on social networking sites.

The online survey was conducted by Opinion Research Corp. in April 2010.

Many Don't Use Their Real Name on the Internet, Reveals Social Networking Survey