When you are hanging out with your friends on social networking sites, it’s easy to forget that what you say and share might not just stay between friends. Here are 5 things you should never post and what you can do instead without missing out on the fun.
1. Party Pictures
Everyone claims to know this rule, but pics of people drinking and doing stuff at parties continue to get uploaded to Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites.
This is not a good idea since anyone can re-post these photos online as much as they want, and pictures that are meant to be private have a way of coming back to haunt you.
2. Flirty Pictures
This includes everything from those half-naked “sexting” pics to anything R-rated that you wouldn’t want your parents to see.
This is also not a good idea for the reasons outlined above. Also, once sent, you lose all control over them and where it ends up. It is also possible that all those pictures you sent to that guy whom you call bae today can be used against you when you break up. This is called revenge porn, and the outcomes have always been sad. Remember Chidinma Okeke and the embarrassing situation she’s currently in?
Girl Talk: What To Do If Your BF Wants You To Send Nude Pictures
3. Phone Number or Address
Some social networks let you post contact info on your profiles, and some let you send public party invites where anyone can find your address.
But broadcasting personal information on a social site might be the easiest way to share with all your friends, but it’s also the easiest way to share with creeps, weirdos and other strangers you don’t want knocking on your door.
So share information by sending them as private messages to their inbox, and as mails to their email addresses. It might take longer, but it’s a lot easier than changing your number or profile name to keep a creep or stalker from contacting you again.
4. Complain About Teachers
Social networks seem like great places to complain about school and work, right?
Remember that whatever you write can always get back to the person you’re writing about. If what you say is untrue, or even just unflattering, it could get you suspended – like the 16-year old girl who got fired after she told her Facebook friends that she thought her job was boring.
If you must complain, do it with your friends in person.
5. Show Your Drama
Social networks seem to be the hotbeds for friend fights, breakup announcements, shading, and nasty rumours. With just a click of OK or SEND, it’s super-easy to share the dark side of your social life. Some conversations need to be kept private. Getting personal in public damages your reputation, hurts friendships and creates even more drama.
So don’t use social networks as a place to have it all out with your friends and enemies. Instead, use social networks to share positive stuff about yourself and the cool things going on in your life and keep the private stuff private.
See Also: Snapchat Bullying Lands Teen in Jail
