Social Networking: Blurred Lines Between Private and Public

WASHINGTON (WUSA) -- When Justin Smith launched his blog about being HIV positive, he did think about the possibility of losing his job at the IRS.

"I was very fearful," he said. "I really thought about my future and what this could mean for me and I realize the greater good is to actually educate people. People need to know that people are contracting HIV especially in the DC area at record numbers."

So he educates people with his stories and YouTube videos chronicling his experience. The Silver Spring native contracted HIV in 2005, two years after he was honorably discharged from the Air Force. The stories at times can get personal. That's a risk Smith is willing to take.

"Anything you put out there you must know it will come back to you," he warned. "People will see it and say, 'Oh this is Justin.' You have to be very cautious about what you put out there."

His advice is right on the mark, if you ask social networking advisors. Qui Diaz works for the online company CRT/Tanaka, a group founded by local blogging guru Geoff Livingston. Employees there help companies and individuals weave their way through the ever-changing world of online communications and social networking sites. Diaz said people have been fired for blogging.

"Everything's open and it's permanent," she said. "So it's not just about your current job and whether or not you have a job but it's what's logged on Google for life."

Diaz said the expectations may change in the future, however.

"As our current generation comes up and takes higher management roles we might see a wave of policies evolve overtime," she said.

That's an evolution Smith is banking on. In fact, he's already seen progress in the way people receive his posts.

"Somebody actually commented on one of my first entries: 'We need soldiers like Justin.'" he paused. "If they need soldiers like me I'm ready to sign up."