Social media is here to stay.
In the 90's, we had the Internet craze.
If you are reading this and you don't remember life before the Internet, keep on living; there will come a time when you'll be "wowed" by the pace of life and technology.
Smile if you remember...

• Eight track tapes, cassette tapes, CD's
• Snail mail (letters sent by U.
  S.
  Postal Service), telegrams
• Atari, Sega Genesis
• Encyclopedias

I can go on and on, but the reality is that times are changing, and social media has become an integral part of the way we interact and communicate with others.
While it may have started as a method for people to stay connected with family and friends, or network with people with similar interests, it has organically grown into a venue that companies use to reach their customers and gather information on their wants and needs.
It has also been used to engage people in the political process and rally people for a cause.
With all the great things that can be said about social media, there are some drawbacks.
Although there's no user manual available to tell you the rules of engagement for the various social forums available today, there are a plethora of articles on the Internet that provide valuable information on the do's and don'ts.
For instance, we've all read a tweet or post that was inappropriate, viewed a picture that shouldn't have been shared, or heard about the rekindled love affair that tore a family apart.
So, how do you engage in the new "norm" without breaking the unspoken rules? Included below are key considerations for getting the most of the social media buzz without falling prey to the common missteps:

• Keep it Clean, Use a Filter - I can't tell you the number of posts I've seen that included profanity, improper English, or comments that were simply in poor taste.
  Before you share, ask yourself the following: Will my grandmother, boss or significant other approve? If the answer is yes, proceed to post, tweet, share, etc.
  
• Monitor your Friends - Who are your friends and who are you following? What's their conversation? Do you approve? Your social media profile is a part of your personal brand.
  While you may set privacy settings, assume that your information and that of your friends can be seen by anyone.
  In essence, it can.
  Once you tweet or share, you lose control of who has access to the conversation
• Don't tell Your Business - I am amazed by the number of people who share their plans and whereabouts in social media forums.
  It is naïve to think that everyone with access to your information has good intentions.
  Your over sharing could lead to someone "robbing you blind".
  Use proper judgment
• Don't Look for Trouble - While social media has created a venue for people to reconnect, some relationships are best left in the past.
  Don't search for past loves.
  If you find yourself entering their name in the search field, ask yourself why? What outcome are you looking for? Are you simply curious? If so, why? Would your significant other approve? I can go on and on, but I think you get the point.
  Sometimes it's best to leave the past in the past

The social media craze is causing a cultural shift in the country and the world.
Although I was a late adopter, I've come to enjoy catching up on the lives of old classmates and keeping in touch with family.
Our world is changing quickly, and the social media shift is just the beginning.
Engaging in the conversation can be very rewarding, but don't leave common sense and judgment behind when you do.