Facebook has finally reached my personal threshold of TMI. The world's largest social media network it seems is expanding again with opportunities to put even more personal information out there for all the world to know. Most recently, I noticed that you can now add your blood type to your Facebook profile. No, I'm not kidding. I wish I were. Because it's one of the things I use to kid about when ever a telephone customer service rep would start asking questions to verify my identity.
"Mother's maiden name? Sure. Need my blood type too? How about the first day of my last menstrual cycle?"
Realizing we live in a world where the idea of personal privacy is almost quaint, I have to wonder if my ardent appall of this development is a sign of my age. I choose to believe no. If you need to know my blood type to know me, sorry, I guess we can't be friends. Of course, we have a choice about how much information we choose to share. My rule of thumb is if I wouldn't share it with a co-worker at the water-cooler it doesn't belong online. This is the rule I generally give to consulting clients as well who might be new to social media and justifiably daunted by the public nature of it all. It's a blanket rule that should apply to pictures and videos as well. The internet is a wonderful thing. And Social Media connects us in ways unthinkable just a few years ago. But it's important to know how much is Too Much Information online. Pick a rule you're comfortable with and stick to it. Just because they ask doesn't necessarily mean you have to answer.