Some 190 million people have a Twitter account these days, but keeping ahead of the curve on tech-savvy social networking isn't just about how fast you update your feed; it's about being smart with what you share. Tweeting lets you post information almost in real time, and some people don't take a moment to consider whether they should tell complete strangers where they are, how they feel, or what they think about their boss.
Don't tweet about where you are.
"L8t @ werk, cant wait 2go home" also reads, "I'm vulnerable." It's one thing to call your friends and tell them you'll be late to the bar. It's another to notify your 47 Twitter followers, half of whom you've never met, that you'll be alone when you leave the office tonight.
Don't post info about your personal history.
Identity theft isn't just about Social Security numbers. Carelessly tweet things like where you went to school or your maiden name, and over time thieves will know as much about you as your own family members.
Keep information about others private.
I'm a crook. I'm out to scam your friend. She's pretty savvy about what she tweets ... but you gossip on Twitter about her all the time. Thanks!
Don't talk about expensive purchases
Thieves are looking to victimize people with valuables. When you tweet about the expensive gifts you're buying this holiday season, you're letting people know it might be worth breaking into your house or car.
Don't let thieves know you're out.
Stealing is a risky activity; it's always better to show up at an empty home, grab the goods, and get away clean. Don't tweet about leaving the house, and don't tweet about where you live.
Keep information about your schedule private.
The better crooks can learn your routine, the better they can figure out when to stalk you or burglarize your home.
Keep information about children private.
The less complete strangers know about your and other people's kids, the better. Don't tweet about their whereabouts, likes and dislikes, friends, after school activities. Nobody's privacy is more important than children's.
Meeting a Twitter friend for the first time? Find a public spot.
You may have tweeted with someone on and off for over a year. But you don't actually know anything about them until you meet face to face. Don't feel embarrassed about suggesting meeting in a public place. Not only is it safer for you, it should reassure the person you're meeting for the first time about you as well.
Don't tweet information bullies can use against you.
It's not necessarily illegal to be a jerk, and it's not only children who get bullied. Letting people know your insecurities is a way to let the nasties who get their kicks kicking others when they're down have a field day with your feelings.
Don't give people information that can hurt your reputation.
Inappropriate jokes, political rants, stupid stunts; with cutting-edge communication tech, you can sabotage your reputation more efficiently than ever. Even if the people you care about impressing aren't spying on you, don't think there aren't others motivated to use a thoughtless tweet against you.
Don't insult or lie about family members, friends or coworkers.
Gossiping to your friends can get you into trouble; gossiping about them to hundreds of people can get you a defamation lawsuit. The power to ruin someone's reputation comes with the risk of paying for it.
Don't post your moods.
Letting people know how you feel gives friends cues about how to relate to you at a given time. But on Twitter, you're updating a potentially huge following of strangers on your potential emotional vulnerabilities. Predators can use that information to contact you and try to build trust by pretending to empathize.
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