The Do's And Don'ts Of Social Networking: The Don'ts

What does it take to be a superb social networker and a dynamite dater? We've made it through the do's - and hopefully you're already implementing some of the tactics I suggested! - so let's move straight on the don'ts. Here are four more tips for preventing a faux pas in cyberspace:

1. Don't publicly announce every detail of your relationship in status updates. You are not a celebrity, and that status update about your sweetie is not going to be the next headline on Star or the National Enquirer. Your social network doesn't care that your boyfriend wore mismatching socks that day, or that the sounds your girlfriend makes while sleeping remind you of a pomeranian. Overexposure will kill your relationship just as easily as it kills 95% of celebrity relationships.
2. Don't freak out if your significant other isn't as much of an obsessive social networker as you are. Just because you've uploaded 500 pictures of the two of you together, and tag them in every other Facebook status, doesn't mean that they are required to return the favor. Sometimes Tweets are not returned, photos are not commented on, and chats are ignored. Your S.O. is not obligated engage on social networking sites as often as you do, and they do not adore you any less for having a different approach to the Interweb.
3. Don't stalk family and friends - it's just as bad as stalking your dates. If your partner hasn't introduced you to someone yet, steer clear of them online. No matter how cute you think the older sibling might be, how suspicious you are of the best friend's intentions, or how much you want to start making a good impression on the parents right away, your partner's boundaries deserve respect, both online and off.
4. Don't change your relationship status unless you've discussed it together. Jumping the gun, and listing yourself as "in a relationship" before the two of you have had a serious conversation about where the relationship is going, comes off as attraction-killing clinginess. This rule applies to relationships that are ending as well: only change your status back to "single" if both of you are on the same page. Going "single" on Facebook as a means of getting revenge after an argument, or as a way of avoiding the awkward breakup conversation, are childish and rude.

Bonus Technological Tip: Don't leave evidence of your misdeeds behind. Remember what I said about keeping your inner stalker in check, in the social networking do's? If you find yourself unable to refrain from becoming a private investigator, stalk as responsibly as possible. it's easy to leave online footprints without even realizing it, as many websites, or the apps connected to them, allow users to see information about who is viewing their profiles. Cover your tracks well...or, better yet, don't make them in the first place.

For more information on social networking sites that can be used for meeting new people, check out our Facebook review and our Twitter review.