AN impostor using television actor Wright Ngubeni's name to make Facebook and Tweeter friends, speaks to the list of known downsides of these social network sites.

AN impostor using television actor Wright Ngubeni's name to make Facebook and Tweeter friends, speaks to the list of known downsides of these social network sites.

This person is using the networks to spread gossip that is damaging to Ngubeni's colleagues and himself.

There is no doubt that there are many positives to these networking sites. But as with the discovery of dynamite the initial intentions have been defeated by people harbouring evil plans.

There have already been many reports of paedophiles using the networks to prey on the young, often with tragic consequences for the youth. They also create opportunities for superficial friendships devoid of human contact.

What is of concern is that Ngubeni can do little but use traditional ways of communication to explain that the Ngubeni using his name is just not the "Wright" person.