In today’s Quick Hits, we explore some new research on social networking habits, ponder changes to COPPA, and discuss what Google may have in store with its Facebook competitor.

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Facebook’s New Member Numbers Dive in June

Inside Facebook has some very interesting data that shows Facebook’s recent privacy slip-ups may have actually cost the website new users. According to the research, the number of US Facebook users climbed by only 320,800 in June, whereas it grew by 7.8 million users in May. Inside Facebook concedes that the big drop-off may be an anomaly, but they also note that the age groups that saw the biggest drops would be among those most aware of media coverage of Facebook’s privacy problems.

Facebook Movie Won’t be Advertised on Facebook

Speaking of Facebook problems, Mark Zuckerberg has a big one coming up in the form of the movie “The Social Network” a dramatized version of Facebook’s inception. Many pundits who have read the script believe the movie could draw further negative attention toward Facebook, even if it little of the plot is true. At least Zuck doesn’t have to worry about people promoting the movie on his own website, though. According to Sony SVP Steve Elzer, “Facebook’s advertising guidelines don’t allow ads to reference the company unless Facebook has cooperated with the object of the ad,” and I doubt Facebook will cooperate.

New Research Shows Contradictions in Facebook Use Among Young Women

New research from Oxygen Media and Lightspeed Research reveals a number of interesting facts about the way young women use social networking websites. According to the study, 53 percent of young women post details of their personal problems on Facebook, while a seemingly contradictory 54 percent of women aged 18 to 24 don’t trust Facebook with their information. An even more telling and contradictory finding is that “some 42 percent of women aged 18 to 34 seem to think it’s just fine to post pictures of themselves in a state of ‘visible intoxication’, but 63 percent use Facebook for networking and their careers.”

The research is interesting because it reveals how social network users are still figuring out exactly what is and is not appropriate to share on the web even after more than six years of being online.

The Benefits of Social Networking for Doctors

An article in USA Today weighs the merits of doctors joining social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter for personal branding and patient outreach. One doctor, Kevin Pho who runs the popular website KevinMD.com makes the point that “doctors who are not active online risk being marginalized.”

Google Social Media Presentation Explores the Problem with “Friends”

Since the rumor broke that Google is planning to create its own social network “Google Me,” tech writers have been looking everywhere for information on how Google plans to outdo Facebook. This article from the Wall Street Journal Digits blog discusses a recent social networking presentation from Google that is making the rounds online. The presentation focused on how social networking users rarely have hundreds of personal friends, but rather groups of friends and then acquaintances. Google claims the presentation isn’t a roadmap for things to come, only an analysis of current social media trends.

FTC Weighs Changes to COPPA

The Federal Trade Commission is currently taking a new look at the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and has extended the deadline for public comments on the law through July 12th. COPPA was last examined in 2005, but has not changed since it was passed in 1998. With the growth of social networking and other major Internet developments, however, it seems like the perfect time to make sure the law fits with the times.

UK Information Commissioner Releases Code of Practice for Data Collection

In the UK, Information Commissioner Christopher Graham has released a code of practice for Internet companies seeking to collect user data online. Graham released the code as an e-book through the Information Commissioner’s Office. The e-book “outlines advice for businesses, departments, and charities who collect information that can identify an individual.”