We live in an era of unprecedented online freedom where you can post whatever you want, whenever you want to whoever is willing to engage.
However, that freedom shouldn’t come at the expense of your personal safety or peace of mind, especially in this era.
The defining challenge of the digital age isn’t access to information; it’s restraint. When sharing requires only a tap, knowing where to draw the line becomes a vital skill.
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Simply put: the public doesn’t need a front-row seat to every corner of your life.
Earlier generations had decades to build social norms around new communication tools, from handwritten letters to the party-line telephone and answering machines.
Social media, by contrast, arrived far faster than our collective etiquette could keep up.
To help you navigate this fast-moving landscape, here are 6 things you should not post on social media
1. Personal location
It seems weird to me that people are comfortable with everyone knowing exactly where they are and what they are doing. Is your location visible to everyone on Snapchat because you see other people do it? Kidnappers and stalkers do not exist just in movies; don’t make yourself a victim. It really isn’t necessary; disable your location tracker.
2. Videos and pictures taken without permission
You feel tempted to take videos and pictures of situations every time; that’s okay, but don’t go about sharing them with the whole world without consent. You don’t know who would go to extreme lengths to make sure you get into trouble for sharing videos or pictures of them. If you really want to share a funny video of your friend, please seek permission; your friend might not want that information on social media.
3. Information a person should share themselves
They told you about it does not mean you have license to tell everyone about it. The news can be exciting, but don’t let that push your itchy fingers to hit the post button. The big news is theirs, let them share it when they are ready to. Yes, the baby is cute, it doesn’t mean you can’t zip your lips.
4. Inappropriate personal images
You can keep a secret folder of your boyfriend or girlfriend’s picture. The whole world does not have to see it. Yes, your body, your rules. It doesn’t mean your parents and their friends would be happy seeing you looking like a citizen of the garden of Eden.
5. Pictures and videos from no photo areas
Nobody wants an unexpected trip to a police station over a 15-second clip. “No Photography” signs exist to protect critical security, privacy, and safety. If you accidentally or intentionally capture footage in a designated no-photo zone, social media shouldn’t be your bragging ground—it’s the fastest way to turn a brief lapse in judgment into a serious legal issue.
6. Complaints about your workplace or boss
We get it, some bosses are worse than Ebenezer Scrooge. This doesn’t mean you go on social media to nag about how horrible she is. The kiss asses and tell-all colleagues may seize the chance to show screenshots to your bosses if they are not on social media. Hating your job doesn’t mean you want to lose it now; you’ve got bills to pay.
You do not want to ruin someone’s reputation or yours; think well before you post.
