What Not To Post On Twitter: 11 Things Your Tweeps Don't Need To Know

Think before you tweet.

Twitter is a powerful communication tool used by the likes of protesters, journalists, astronauts and public officials. But tweeters should take caution: the microblogging service is also frequented by employers, insurance companies, law enforcement agents, even criminals. And as search engines like Google and Bing take steps to further integrate Twitter updates into query results, it's more important than ever to watch what you tweet.

Given the platform's simplicity and 140-character limit, it can be tempting to dash off Twitter updates without pausing to consider the impact they can have. Experts agree that users should take a moment before tweeting. Especially if your tweets are public, that moment of reconsideration could save you your job, your personal safety or your reputation.

Browse our slideshow of what not to post on Twitter (below), then view our slideshows of Twitter posts that got people fired and arrested. Do you have a suggestion for our list of Twitter no-no's? Email us at [e-mail], or upload your own slide via the uploader tool.

For more on social networking safety, check out our slideshow of what not to post on Facebook.

 

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Confessionals, Office Gossip

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If you're angry at your boss or playing hookey from work, you probably shouldn't tweet about it. Furthermore, warns Amber Yoo of PrivacyRights.org, tweeting your opinions about work-related topics can lead to trouble in-office. "Unless they are glowing, don't Tweet opinions about your company, clients, products and services. Employers are increasingly monitoring employee conduct on Twitter," says Yoo. "A tweet could cost you your job if you aren't careful."

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If you're angry at your boss or playing hookey from work, you probably shouldn't tweet about it. Furthermore, warns Amber Yoo of PrivacyRights.org, tweeting your opinions about work-related topics can lead to trouble in-office. "Unless they are glowing, don't Tweet opinions about your company, clients, products and services. Employers are increasingly monitoring employee conduct on Twitter," says Yoo. "A tweet could cost you your job if you aren't careful."

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Comments

[Chico41]

11:23 AM on 03/15/2011

Everyone listen to me!!!! I'm so important that you need to hear every idiotic thought that comes into my head, and know what I'm doing at every moment! I just ate an apple, and it was delicious! I just read an article on a website, and I'm going to post the headline word for word so everyone knows that I'm up to date on current events! RT: Something I don't really understand, but want to post as my own so everyone thinks I'm able to come up with an original thought.

My apologies, I thought I was somewhere else.

[hurtmyleg]

09:56 AM on 03/09/2011

Regarding slide #4: Who the hell goes to Florida in the middle of August?

[irnawa]

11:59 PM on 03/08/2011

Twitter: a service to put narcissists in contact with voyeurs, so they could leave everyone else alone...

[Knowledgeseeker]

07:04 PM on 03/08/2011

what about your home address ?

[dsws]

01:51 PM on 03/08/2011

I was born January 1 of year 0, and I don't care who finds out. Of course, that's year zero of my personal calendar, and "I" in this context refers to an online persona rather than a biological organism. And I'm tweeting this right now.

Actually, I do have my meatspace year of birth on Facebook, just with the none-of-your-business New Year's birthday.

[hifiguy]

10:14 AM on 03/08/2011

No Facebook, no Twitter here. Cell phone and internet are all I need to keep informed about the world. My life is quite boring - in large part by choice - and I cannot imagine why anyone would be interested in its everyday details.

And these days unavailability is one of the most precious of luxuries.

[Cutiepieblue]

09:41 AM on 03/08/2011

I have yet to get into the tweeting thing.

[bigmovieman]

09:24 AM on 03/08/2011

so basically what they're saying is don't tweet anything.

Don't plan to.

moving on...

[fenderbender1]

09:03 AM on 03/08/2011

People who wear their underpants on the outside of their wardrobe should expect to be critcized for not knowing better!

[Ais4Atheist]

07:39 AM on 03/08/2011

Almost the exact same list as their "not to post on facebook" article. And one thing that came up on both that bother me is high risk activities. Mainly because I skydive just about every weekend, and my facebook is littered with pictures and video. But I'm not afraid of insurance companies seeking this information... BECAUSE THEY ALREADY HAVE IT. Unlike some people i was honest about my high risk behavior, and where the form asked about if i do any "piloting, rock climbing, scuba diving, parachuting, etc," i said i certainly do participate in one of those activities.

It also bothers me because i know more people that have been injured or killed, by bikes, cars, and skis/snowboards than i do from skydiving. Then saying on facebook/twitter you have a 90 minute commute to work on I-95 should also be a high risk behavior you shouldn't admit. (I use to do that too)

[TylerSutherland]

06:14 AM on 03/08/2011

"Do not breathe, do not blink, do not even think about breathing or blinking."

[ramblingjohnny]

05:25 AM on 03/08/2011

How many peoples are dumb enough to give their full name to twitter anyway? My privacy policy is simple my real friends and family can know my handle the rest of the world can have my first name!

[cybersense]

03:18 AM on 03/08/2011

There are so MANY things not to do - oh no! LOL
 
 

[KeithClark]

02:23 AM on 03/08/2011

Common sense much?

[Samirah1368]

07:26 AM on 03/08/2011

I know! I thought this was going to be funny but really this is all basic common sense stuff

[So-called-bob]

02:20 AM on 03/08/2011

I told anybody that would listen that I was lower than the slime on the belly of a slug. Is that too personal?