This is for all the people out there that provide me with endless hours of insight, status updates and humorous comments. You know who you are – Twitterers, bloggers, vloggers, and Facebook status updaters.

While I enjoy feeling a deeper connection to you and in some ways wish that I had the time and the fortitude to participate even more in sharing via all the emerging social media platforms, I definitely feel the need too hold back.

My concern - and I admit that maybe it’s overly paranoid – is regarding the potentially nefarious elements that may emerge as a result of sharing too much personal information.

First, let me say that my paranoia is based on a few things that have happened in the past – both online and offline. Four years ago I experienced a minor episode of identity theft (albeit not as horrible as stories I’ve heard from others with ruined credit). I believe, but can’t be sure, that the incident was the result of living in an urban area and having people rummage through our trash. I now shred everything. And I mean everything – even if it says occupant or resident. I have even (just once or twice) burned the shredded remains in the BBQ.

The bigger issue for me is that many, many years back I was a stalking victim. Restraining orders, a move, an unlisted phone number were all required. I realize that because I run a publication it’s pretty easy to find me via my work. At the height of this harassment (which was mostly in person with some telephone and online stalking involved) I considered writing under an assumed name. I chose not to. Perhaps, it was my own way of attempting not to let this other person make me live in total fear.

I try to put all of that in the back of my mind and do my job, which is very public, but there are times when I can’t help but think about it. So, when it comes to the video revolution, I’m hesitant to let it all hang out, so to speak.

Here’s an example: While I was working at home for two weeks I was trying to think about topics that might make good video. I considered doing a video piece on gadget overload since that is a HUGE problem at our house. I also figured that many of you could relate or even offer helpful solutions to my problem. But as I thought about it more, I realized that I wasn’t totally keen on giving everyone in the world (okay, maybe just those who read this blog or check out YouTube) an inventory list of all the expensive high tech stuff at my house. This is not the first time I nixed a topic for fear of revealing too much.

Video provides a real level of intimacy that is rarely achieved just through words – no matter how authentic or “naked” your writing is. Many of those creating video give me lots of detailed information: I can see your home, your kids, and your home office. Often I know what kind of car they drive, their daily schedules, and when they are out of town at conferences and events.

I talked with online marketing consultant Sam Harrelson about the issue. Sam is a big proponent of social media and using video. However, he says that as a new dad he is more aware of putting out too much personal information. While, like me, Sam realizes that anyone wishing to harm another person can piece together information from Flickr, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google searches, he doesn’t want to make it too easy for them.

Although, he’s not an alarmist, he claims to have pulled back on the personal and instead tries to blog, Twitter and use video to discuss ideas. He’s also stopped posting his videos on YouTube and instead prefers Fiddler and Revver, where it’s easier to make things private. He doesn’t show video of the inside of his home or his child and is very conscious of not saying when he’s not at home. However, he admits that he often posts pictures of his newborn online so the family can enjoy them.

Another online marketing consultant that is a big fan of blogging, video and platforms that promote communication and sharing, says he is paranoid about giving away too much personal data.

He only registers domain names that are private, and then uses his business office address so others will not have his home address. He tries not to blogs about being out of town until he returns. Like Sam, he doesn’t show the inside of his house or his kids on camera.

Like others online things that positively impact people (Craigslist, MySpace, search engines) there will eventually be people that use them to perpetrate criminal acts. And I fully expect that will cause some backlash against new social media platforms. Sam believes that people will become more aware of these potentially harmful acts associated with exposing too much personal information and there will be a tribalization movement where people want to interact with 30 to 40 others not 1,200.

What are your concerns regarding sharing too much of yourself via Twitter, Facebook, blogs and video? I’d love to hear if you worry about giving too much personal information. I’d also like to hear your thoughts on whether or not a backlash might be coming regarding sharing information via social networking platforms.