Have you tried talking to your teen about how the Web is permanent and how the things they post online could come back to haunt them in the future? Do you get the blank look or "yes, Mom" response that you know means your teen hasn't taken what you've said seriously? Well listen up, kids, there really can be serious and life-altering consequences to what you post online.

Criminal prosecutors have recently begun searching for evidence on social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook that enable them to pursue harsher sentencing. In several cases, prosecutors found incriminating photos of defendants in DUI cases resulting in serious injury and/or death to secure prison sentences.

Take the case of 20-year old Joshua Lipton. While awaiting sentencing in a drunk-driving case where a woman was seriously injured, prosecutors came into possession, from an outside source, of pictures of Joshua on Facebook drinking and wearing a jailbird costume for Halloween just two weeks after the accident. Prosecutors used these pictures as evidence that Joshua was not remorseful for his actions. The result: a prison sentence of two years.

Even if your teenager is not involved in a criminal prosecution, photos and comments posted online can have long-term consequences. What if your teenage daughter and her friends get together and take photographs of each other in provocative clothing for "fun" and one or all of them post these pictures on the Internet. Nothing pornographic, but maybe just a bit racy. Not only could all their friends see the pictures, but maybe even their principal, teachers, pastor, etc. Not to mention potential future employers. Once you post something, it exists forever. Even if you try to delete it, someone else may have already copied it and posted it elsewhere. The Internet is forever. Make sure you alert your kids to think before you post.

From AOL’s Safety Clicks.