Twitter Trouble: Think Before You Tweet

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If you didn't know, the social media site Twitter is pretty popular these days.

You can't watch a nightly newscast without hearing it mentioned in some way shape or form.

"I definitely check Twitter two or three times per day," said Jordan Schein of Tampa. "I don't always tweet every day but I'm definitely always looking."

Some like Stephen Covney can't get enough Twitter.

"I check it a couple of times an hour," the Tampa resident says.

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An estimated 500 million people use the site and this year's Summer Olympics Games have shown the effect Twitter is having on the world.

Before the games even started a Greek Olympian was booted from the track team for an inappropriate Tweet.

"I'm not surprised that someone's been kicked off the team for something they've done with social media," said Jen Straw, proprietor of Last Straw Media. "I am surprised it happened so quickly."

Straw says the International Olympic Committee saw the potential for problems with the social media site and acted accordingly with rules and standards.

"One of the rules is to make sure that everything that's posted is in good taste and not vulgar or obscene," Straw explained.

The Twitter "effect" doesn't stop at the Olympic Games. It has also reached the gridiron on both the collegiate and professional levels.

Florida State football coach Jimbo Fisher has banned his players from tweeting at all this season. Marin Lewis, the head coach of the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals, has informed his players that Twitter is off limits during training camp.

While Straw says a clear social media policy is often better than an all out ban but she understands why these coaches have acted.

"I think some people just aren't using common sense," Straw adds. "If you wouldn't say it and scream it out to the rest of the world then why would you put it out on the Internet? Nothing is private."

Those who use the site have mixed emotions about Twitter policies and bans.

"If it's affecting your academic life, your professional life there should be a way to stop it," says Twitter user Casey Cavanaugh. "I'm not really sure that's the appropriate way."

But one thing this year's Olympic Games have taught us Twitter is here to stay, so watch what you tweet.

Straw: "My advice is before you tweet, think."

More stories: My Fox Tampa Bay