Why social media is like a string bikini

Social media makes sharing easy, but it’s important to expose only the most attractive parts of yourself. Cover up the things you would rather the rest of the world not glimpse.

We’ve all wished we could take back something we said, or hoped that an embarrassing memory would fade with time. With a little luck, and forgiveness from others, it’s possible to make a fresh start and put the past behind us.

Unless, of course, our past is indelibly etched into the hard drive of a computer—and recalled with the press of a button.

As an FBI agent, I’ve interviewed many different kinds of people. The most productive interviews were with the people who talked—and talked—because they were often the people who didn’t know when to stop. They provided too much information about themselves, and many times those details ultimately damaged their character and/or goals.

Here are some things to keep in mind when developing your social network:

1. Be specific, not brief

Social networks force you to condense large thoughts into a few skimpy words. The rule to remember is this: Be specific, not brief.