You can't take pee out of a pool. Don't pee in your social networks.

There is a humorous explanation of Social Media making the rounds right now, which attempts to show the differences between how various social networks are used. It's funny and it's accurate, but I am fascinated by the fact that they used peeing as the analogy for the types of activity happening on each social network.

One of my biggest concerns with youth today is the idea of total transparency on social networks. Many of the teens I interact with have absolutely no filter when it comes to what they post on their social networks. the common sentiment is "This is who I am - I'm not going to hide it."   I can appreciate the sentiment - but I can almost guarantee that for most of them the truer statement is not "This is who I am" but "This is the Unfiltered Me."

The "Unfiltered Me" is a great person to know. The "Unfiltered Me" might be funny and raunchy and the life of the party when teens are hanging out in a basement joking around with their peers. Chances are, however, the "Unfiltered Me" isn't the person who visits Grandma, isn't the person who interacts with their teachers, and isn't the person who applies for a job.

(If the Unfiltered Me is that person, we have a different issue.)

Unfortunately...Grandma, future employers, teachers, college admission counselors, and plenty of other people in our lives find our teens on-line. Everyone, but teens and young adults especially, need to understand that if you pee into the pool that is your Social Network - it's very difficult to clean that up later.  When you apply for college, or a job, chances are that the person interviewing you will not only look at your transcript or your resume, but also your Facebook pages, your Twitter stream, and your Flickr photos.

Bottom line - social networks are as intimate as your basement, but as public as....well....the Internet. It may feel like it is appropriate to present the Unfiltered Me to your friends, but don't ever forget your Grandmother, your teachers, and your future boss are also watching.

It's virtually impossible to go back and take the pee out of your social network later.