Regulating a level of self-disclosure in an instant messaging communications session includes enabling user selection on a first instant messaging participant system of an instant messaging communications mode from at least a first available mode and a second available mode. The first available mode discloses a different amount of information about a first instant messaging participant than the second available mode. Creation of a message clip is enabled on the first instant messaging participant system according to the selected communications mode and delivery of the message clip is enabled from the first instant messaging participant system to a second instant messaging participant system.