There seem to be more online social networking opportunities these days than can be counted.  Last week we saw the power of Twitter being used by people in Iran to communicate with the international community while their government actively tried to block information from getting out.  Whether you are Tweeting on Twitter or sharing information about yourself on MySpace or Facebook, there are a few things to keep in mind. 

What happens on the internet stays on the internet…  for a very long time and for everyone to see.  While social networking sites can be a great way to keep in touch with old friends and to make new ones, be careful not to post the wrong kind of information that can cause future embarrassment or be used against you.  A good rule of thumb is to not share anything you would not want your boss or a potential employer to see.  In fact, many employers these days use these sites to research prospective employees.

Mixing teens and social networking sites opens a whole new set of concerns.  If you allow your kids to use these sites you need to constantly be aware of whom they are communicating with and the content they are posting.  Make sure any computer with internet access is in a public area of your home – not in their bedrooms.  Online predators are all over on the internet and common sense has to be used so as not to put you or your kids at risk of being victims.

Technology can be great, just keep some of these things in mind to make your online experience a good one.

Happy Networking!