KANSAS CITY, Mo. — How well do you know your neighbors? If you’ve yet to meet them, there’s a new social site that wants to introduce you.
Let’s say you need to borrow a ladder, your dog went missing or you’re looking for a babysitter — NextDoor.com wants to connect you with neighbors who can help.
Those who sign up must verify their address, which is included in your online bio — with a Google map pinpointing your location. However, NextDoor.com says each neighborhood site is private. Meaning, only people within your neighborhood have access to the information you post, including your address and pictures.
But how safe is safe when it comes to the Internet? Kansas City Master Patrol Officer James Schriever said nothing is private online.
“The site seems to take away from the core value of knowing your neighbor,” he said. “If you want to really know your neighbor, have a barbecue or hold a block party.”
Schriever adds that while online communication is becoming the norm, it’s still important to have face-to-face contact.
“Don’t put a computer between you because you just don’t know who’s on the other end of the terminal,” he said.
Besides, Schriever says, hackers are smart and posting your home address on the Internet isn’t.
NextDoor.com launched in October 2011, but only recently locked in a new round of funding, according to Mashable. CEO and Co-founder Nirav Tolia told Mashable the new funding will be used to hire new employees and increase neighborhoods.
Currently, NextDoor.com has 3,600 neighborhoods in 48 states. See a neighborhood in action.