There are very little boundaries these days.  Everyone wants to feel connected to other folks and with the influx of so many social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Myspace, etc) those connections are crossing boundaries that used to be rather distinct.  As an example: a co-worker you only speak to on occasion finds you on Facebook and wants to be your Facebook friend.  Not wanting to be rude, you accept them.  But now, they have access to all sorts of random tidbits about you that they did not have access to before.

Many people try to say “Well you should only use LinkedIn for business and Facebook for friends and family,” but trying to fimly maintain that distinction is very difficult.  This makes it your responsibility to be very careful with what you post on these websites.  Its a warning that is shouted by many Social Media experts, but not always adhered to by others.  Just as you can’t un-ring a bell, you can’t erase what’s been written in cyberspace.  Chances are by the time you do, somebody has already seen what was written when you didn’t want them to.

Everyone has to adjust their own internal filter to their comfort level, but be sure to use that internal filter.  EVERYONE sees your status updates on nearly every single one of these sites.  Be careful what you put out into the cyber universe because karma has a funny way of coming back to you.

Happy Monday!