Top 10 Things You Should Not Share on Social Networks

Make sure you know how what you're posting affects you, your family, and your job!  
 

Certainly you know that social networking Web sites are the latest and greatest way to interact with other users on the Internet. Thirty-five percent of adults on the Internet now have a profile on at least one social networking site, and 51 percent have more than one. Three-quarters of users between the ages of 18 and 24 have an online profile [source: USA Today]. The Pew Research Center found that 89 percent of these people use the sites to keep up with friends, 57 percent to make plans with friends and 49 percent to make new friends.

Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Friendster, Urban Chat and Black Planet are just a few of more than 100 Web sites connecting folks around the world who are eager to share their thoughts and feelings. But just like in real life, there's such a thing as sharing too much information (TMI). It's easy to get caught up in the social aspects of sites like Facebook, but what you choose to share is there for all to see if you don't limit who can view your information. The same study by Pew Research found that 40 percent of users have open access to their profiles, allowing anyone to view their information. The other 60 percent restrict access to friends, family and colleagues. Sharing personal information with strangers can be dangerous business, and there are some things you should definitely put on your "do not share" list.

10.  Personal Conversations

9.  Social Plans

8.  Linking Sites

7.  Company Information

6.  Photos of Your Kids (Publicly)

5.  Your Address and Phone Numb

4.  Personal Finance Information

3.  Your Password

2.  Password Hints

1.  Anything You Don't Want Shared

Details of this top 10 "do not share" list can be found at http://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet/social-networking/information/10-things-you-should-not-share-on-social-networks.htm.  Keep yourself and your family safe.

Bryant, Charles W. "Top 10 Things You Should Not Share on Social Networks." 01 July 2009. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet/social-networking/information/10-things-you-should-not-share-on-social-networks.htm> 03 August 2009.