social media: check-in caution

Social media adds values to our lives in many ways - with some of them seemingly more dumb than others to some people.  For me, it's fun.  It adds a little color here and there to my day.  I get this stupid grin on my face and sometimes I may even add a silly squeal to that when I get a badge from one of my check-ins.  It's not real - no where near real, but who cares?  It's fun for me (and a zillion others).  Why you ask?  How is this fun?

1. Achievement - King of the Ant Hill: Games are fun - especially when you get rewards like badges and silly titles like Duke/Duchess and Mayor.  I personally own 5 Foursquare mayor-ships, 22 Foursquare badges, 22 Yelp Dukedoms, and 13 Yelp badges.  Again, I get it.  Not real.  But we - no, I get really motivated over silly things - and I'm damn happy about it.   I like being the Duchess of 22 local destinations.  I like all of my fun badges.
2. Peekaboo - The Peeping Tom in You: Come on now, don't be shy.  Social media allows us to be nosy - see how your friend is doing, see who's in the neighborhood and might be up for that spontaneous beer you need, what their relationship status is...  it may seem a little creepy and weird... and it is.  It is creepy.  BUT... that person you are connected to is putting that information "out there" for whomever can get access to it, to see.  If you wanted to see it, and your friend is putting it out there, then ... you were meant to see it.  There's solace in that. 
   
3. Ego - Show off What Ya Got: It's a forum for you, me and anyone else who wants a say to have their say: what one thinks, what one wears, where one parties, ...  It's a little narcissistic.  It's ok.  You know what though?  Only people that care enough to click on a button or two to follow you see it (your statuses, your pictures, your check-ins...). No one else.  I find it funny when people act surprised that their facebook friends don't know what's goin' on with their life --> just because you're putting "it" out there, doesn't mean everyone is stalking you and hearing/seeing it.
   

As fun and harmless as this may all seem, there are a few rules to follow to safeguard your safety:
Rule #1: Cleanse your contact list every so often - especially from the social media tools that have that "check-in" functionality.  I do this with my Yelp, FourSquare, Facebook, LinkedIn, ...  By the way, did you know that your contacts on FourSquare can call or send you texts, in addition to commenting on your latest check-in?  Be careful who you allow to call you "friend" - and if you add them, understand how much information you are releasing to them.  It's more than you realize.
Rule #2: Check-in when you are leaving a place.  This is the general rule of thumb.  If you are trying to have people come find you, check in at the beginning.  Don't be consistent about this either... which leads to...
Rule #3: Be completely inconsistent.  Do not check into every single place you go to, don't show off your regular patterns and habits, ...  Take some breathers here and there and detox from Social media.  When it comes to your safety - be consistent about being inconsistent.  :) 

Are there any other tips or thoughts you'd like to share that I've missed?  Send them my way!