I would humbly suggest that "discretion is the better part of valor"..to parapharse POrtos from the Three Muskeeters.    Common sense needs to be the order of the day..and yes, it entails a bit of self-censorship in major ways to avoid potential issues down the line.

Good point. While the privacy for Facebook messaging isn't perfect, it's better than just posting something to someone's wall.

We might make too much of the digital element here.  Remember letters and diaries?  Not exactly immune from exposure.  The only difference with emails and private messages and the Internet is that content can be shared very widely, very quickly. 

"When you say you share over private message, do you mean Facebook message? Because I figure if it's on Facebook, even if it's a private message, I have no privacy."

@Mitch: If that's the case then even emails might not be completely safe. I'm not saying sending something over a Facebook message will have complete privacy, but it's better than sharing something with someone over their wall. Unless the recipient themselves choose to share the content with someone else, it's difficult for it to be viewed publicly.

When you say you share over private message, do you mean Facebook message? Because I figure if it's on Facebook, even if it's a private message, I have no privacy.

Yeah, making Facebook care about privacy is like making a great white shark care about vegetarianism.

"And yet during the holiday break, I had some holiday news I want to share with just friends and family, and wished there was a social network I could trust to do that."

@Mitch: I face this problem too. Instead of sharing publicly, I share the news over private message and add multiple recipients to it. That seems a much safer way to me.

@nathanwosnack: I agree. Speaking of feds, I'd also not want to read about the nonsensical privacy laws they pass and impose restrictions on Facebook against selling consumer data. There's no way they can make Facebook truly care about privacy.

In a way, I feel like these topics were some of the ones that got a lot of coverage in 2012. So yes, I get a bit weary when I see another article about them because I would wonder why people are still talking about. I say we move forward and tackle a whole different range of developments and trends in technology, business, and IT for a change.

Very true - and actually supporting my point. We're telling businesses to listen on social media, and busineses are responding, "Alright already! I get it! But HOW?"