How to avoid getting yourself in trouble with Social Media . . . and still get to play all your favorite Facebook games!

Social media is a wonderful invention. Using Facebook, I’ve reconnected with dozens of people from my past, dating all the way back to high school. I also enjoy Facebook’s “chat” feature, which allows me to leave messages for people I know will be on Facebook within a couple of days. I can also use the chat feature to talk to my children in other parts of the world for free, allowing me to keep in touch and not worry so much.

Cause who doesn't worry when their kids are thousands of miles away? I can't peek through the bushes and make sure my son, far away in another land working for the Marine Corps, is safely getting onto his bus like I could when he was in school. 

Technology like Facebook chat is especially nice for the parents and families of military personnel and students abroad, as cell phones can cost a lot of money to use outside the country.

Twitter is popular with news media outlets, celebrities and everyday folks, as it allows them to “tweet” out tidbits of news to their "followers" any time of the day and night.

Other social media outlets are gaining in popularity, and new ones pop up all the time.

As wonderful as all this is, however, it is a double edged sword. The ability to communicate quickly has the down side of allowing people to say things without thinking them through very well; things they may later come to regret.

Kids -- and heck, adults, too, for that matter -- often experience this down side when they blast some angry comment inspired by a disappointment or a perceived injustice all over Facebook or Twitter without first considering that many, many people will read their comments. Not only their own friends will see their comments, but also the friends and contacts of their friends, ad infinitum, as long as people keep commenting on and “sharing” the original remarks. How far a comment can travel actually depends on the privacy settings a user has selected, but most kids -- and a surprising number of adults -- don’t bother to make sure only their inner circle will have access to their comments.

Additionally, once a comment has been made, it’s out there, and can be repeated by mouth. Juicy gossip spreads like soft butter on hot bread. 

Kids also often “post” or “tweet” photos they quickly regret. Nothing seems to be off limits, and people have found themselves in trouble with the law for putting inappropriate photos out there, especially if they involve minors --even if it was a minor who sent the photo.

Adults who receive these inappropriate messages or photos from minors are in danger of losing their jobs, or even their liberty. It's not a laughing matter.

Basically, the same trouble people get into texting also happens on social media, but on a much bigger scale because instead of sending a comment or photo to one recipient, often dozens or hundreds of people see it. Instantly.

That can get out of hand pretty darn quick. 

And kids aren’t the only culprits. People post comments on their Facebook page to vent their feelings, or to express sadness, loneliness or depression, and forget that their co-workers, employers, employees, parents, children and in-laws may see them. Anybody you’ve accepted as a friend will see your posts, and depending on your privacy settings, so may their friends.

So that nasty comment you made about your child’s teacher being a fat bimbo? Yeah. She read it.

That snarky remark about your boss’s new haircut? Mmm. Too bad his barber read it and told him about it. Oh! You forgot his barber is your wife’s cousin and sees all your posts? Too bad for you.

That picture of you and your besties after a few too many drinks that you tweeted Friday night? Your pastor’s gossipy neighbor received that one. Remember, she’s your husband’s bowling partner’s girlfriend? That’s why your pastor gave you that AA brochure at church Sunday morning. Embarrassing.

Get the picture? Used correctly, social media is a great way to stay in touch with people, communicate with loved ones far away, and is becoming increasingly popular with businesses as a promotional tool. 

Used carelessly, it's dynamite with a short fuse.

So think before you post. The reputation you save could be your own.

And as long as you don't get crazy and have to delete your accounts, you can keep on playing all those crazy Facebook games you like. 

Just, please, don't send me any more Candy Crush Saga requests. I'm not going to start using that crack.