Anonymity use to be one of the Internet’s biggest draws: You could hide behind screen names, solicit advice, voice opinions and research topics you didn’t feel comfortable asking from a librarian or bookstore employee. But with that anonymity also comes the freedom to divulge information that we would normally only tell our closest friends; and making it even more troublesome is the ever-growing presence of social networking communities where photos, comments and blogs challenge our privacy and anonymity.

Keep in mind that who you are online says a lot about who you are in real life, especially to the person viewing your page. Do you really want your mom’s neighbor’s daughter to see that picture of you giving the finger or flashing the camera? Wouldn’t it be embarrassing if what happened in Vegas didn’t stay in Vegas and your boyfriend’s nosy sister found out? Or even worse, what if your boss found out that your wild Vegas trip was at the same time you were “out with the flu?” Yikes! It is more important than ever to exercise caution online. Take advantage of privacy settings. Monitor the comments and photos other people post on your page. Be aware of your audience when choosing what to make public or keep private. Remember that almost anyone can access the Internet.

Social networking websites like MySpace, Flickr, LiveJournal, Friendster, Xanga and FaceBook are great for staying in contact with friends, sharing photos or finding new music, but face it: You would never show your parents, employers or hiring managers some of the information and photos that are posted on there! That’s one of the many reasons we created YSN.com: to give you an online profile that you want to show family, employers, friends and colleagues. When your loved ones ask what you’re doing with your life or a prospective employer scours the Internet for your name, you want to show them a portfolio that represents you in a positive, professional light. Your YSN portfolio helps build your professional identity and highlights who you are as a person: your goals, ambition, dreams and achievements. It’s also an interactive way to help you stay focused, motivated and on-track as you pursue your Ideal Life. Besides, if you’re going to be online anyway, you might as well be doing something worthwhile, right? As we fondly say here in the office, YSN.com is “productive procrastination!”

For more than a decade Jennifer Kushell has led a movement inspiring young people to achieve everything they have always dreamed about. As the NY Times best-selling author of Secrets of the Young & Successful and president of YS Interactive Corp., and as a relentless advocate for her generation, Jennifer has impacted the lives and futures of millions around the world. In 2006, she led her company in launching http://www.YSN.com – Your Success Network – an online universe for emerging adults to explore their passions, build a professional identity and pursue their dreams.

Called a "guru" of her generation by US News & World Report and the “career doctor” by Cosmopolitan Magazine, Jennifer has spoken to over 200 million people throughout the world via major media such as CNN, CNBC, CBS, ABC News with Peter Jennings, FOX News, BBC, NPR, PBS, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, Fortune, USA Today, Business Week, Entrepreneur and Seventeen.

For more about Jennifer Kushell, please visit: http://www.ysn.com/group/WhereInTheWorldIsJenniferKushell