Hey there! We live in an era where sharing our lives online is second nature. From posting vacation pics to updating our status about what we had for breakfast, social media is our digital diary. But have you ever stopped to think about the consequences of oversharing? Let’s chat about why it’s crucial to keep some things private and what you should definitely avoid posting online. Plus, I’ll throw in some tips to help you navigate the social media minefield.
Why I Love Social Media
I love most social media platforms and I am pretty much active on all of them. I just love to share my thoughts, beautiful moments, and other things. Social media is a great way to find like-minded people. I even have made friends online and met them in real life. These days social media also knows what you like (the algorithm) and gives you more of that. So on Pinterest, I get the cutest photos and inspiration. On Instagram, I see other beautiful photos from other Instagram girlies and I also find a lot of book inspiration. There are so many reasons why I love social media.
Why You Shouldn’t Share Everything on Social Media
First things first, why should we hold back from sharing every little detail of our lives? Here are a few good reasons:
- Security Risks: Sharing too much can put you at risk for things like identity theft, stalking, and burglary. If someone knows you’re on vacation, they might see it as an opportunity to break into your house. Always post your vacation photos after you come back.
- Digital Footprint: Once something is online, it’s there forever. Even if you delete a post, someone might have already taken a screenshot. Future employers, schools, or even potential dates can find this information. So if you want that job, it is best to be careful about what you post online.
- Privacy of Others: It’s not just about you. Sharing photos or information about friends and family without their consent can invade their privacy and cause issues.
- Mental Health: Constantly sharing can lead to stress and anxiety about maintaining a certain image. Plus, it can contribute to FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) for you and your followers.
- Misunderstandings and Conflicts: Context can easily be lost online, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts. A harmless joke in person might not be so harmless when read in a post.
What Not to Share on Social Media
So, what should you keep to yourself? Here are some things that are best left off your social media profiles:
- Personal Identifiable Information (PII): This includes your full name, address, phone number, Social Security number, and other sensitive info. I even have a separate email that I use for my social media. This way brands and people can still reach out to me, but I don’t use that email for personal things.
- Financial Information: Avoid sharing details about your bank accounts, credit cards, or any financial transactions.
- Location: Be cautious about tagging your location, especially if it’s your home, school, or workplace. Also, avoid real-time location sharing that can indicate you’re not home.
- Vacation Plans: Sharing your travel plans in advance is a big no-no. It signals that your home is empty and can attract burglars. I honestly struggle with this one, to be honest. I like to post in real-time, but knowing that someone with a bad intention is watching your every move is kind of scary.
- Work-Related Information: Keep details about your job, especially confidential company information, off social media. You don’t want to risk your career.
- Personal Drama: Venting about personal issues or conflicts online can backfire. It’s best to handle these things privately. This is a huge thing for me. If I have problems with someone or something, I keep it to myself, to be honest. I am not going to drag someone down online, because is just mean. I also don’t like to gossip online.
- Children’s Photos: Be mindful of posting pictures of kids. Ensure it’s done safely and with parental consent if they aren’t your own. You never know who is following you and seeing your posts. Not everyone is nice.
- Opinions on Controversial Topics: Sharing strong opinions on politics, religion, or other sensitive topics can lead to unnecessary conflicts and damage relationships. I try to stay away from staying political things online. I only post about certain topics when I feel like it is necessary to speak up.
Bonus tips:
- Adjust Privacy Settings: Regularly check and update your privacy settings on all platforms to control who sees your posts.
- Think Before You Post: Take a moment to consider if what you’re sharing could be used against you or others.
- Review Tags and Check-Ins: Monitor what others tag you in and check your settings to approve tags and check-ins before they appear on your profile.
- Use Strong Passwords: Protect your accounts with strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
- Report and Block: Don’t hesitate to report suspicious activities or block users who invade your privacy.
Photo by Carol Magalhães on Unsplash