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Someone posted a poll that was a threat to the President; a war of words between members of the football and basketball teams at KU posted on a networking site; a teacher asked to resign because of pictures she uploaded of her weekend fun; Hollywood "tweets" their thoughts on "what really happened" at an awards show- now showing on Facebook or Twitter.

It's all public on Facebook, myspace or Twitter- 24X7, who needs to call anyone anymore? Just log on from any desktop or cell phone and read all about it on any of these personal networking sites.

I am a proponent of networking online. I've found better opportunities through networking on the web, reconnecting with old friends, old employers, and made new contacts from those relationships to open my network further. The downfall, once it's on the web, I am no longer in control of who has access to the information, who can see it, who can share it. Even with every security settings turned on my sites, there are ways for the information to be shared. If someone wants to read it, they will find a way.

Look at the person who created the poll about our President (there are many, so pick one). My point- if you know your post can get you in trouble, why post it? (I could go on a tangent about the nut suggesting a violent act against our President and how wrong that is <end tangent>)

It's against the law for anyone under the age of 21 to consume alcohol, but I see pictures posted of kids and their comments, bragging how wasted they were. These same kids wonder how school officials  or their parents found out about it. (DUH!)

HR departments, with assistance from IT professionals, are googling (that's a verb now) employees and potential employees to see what they are posting on their web pages and using this information for hiring and firing. Just check your references (friends/connections on the website). What are they telling your employer about you? (If your friend posts their mugshot or a someone captures you passed out, do you really think that sells you as "responsible"?)

Every time I post, I wonder how it may affect my family, my employer, and my own image. Even with this post, what will people think? Maybe, some will think about what they post...and if you want it private or to keep it a secret, don't post it!

Once it's posted, it is no longer private and everybody will know about it.