1) Don't like or comment on old pictures unless you're best friends.
We all know that creeper. They just became friends with a person so they sift through ALL their old photos. Then they do the worst thing possible. They like or comment on a picture more than a year old and everyone else can see it in their news feed. This is completely different than the close friend doing so to be funny. This is literally someone that you just met who you now know has seen every aspect of your Facebook profile. We are all guilty of Facebook creeping but at least leave it unknown.
2) Don't post questionable articles or facts.
Listen to your professor on this one. Always check the source or validity of a shocking or too good to be true article before sharing it. Sometimes we get caught up in the game of social media that we forget that what we post represents us. When I see that obviously fake Facebook hoax headline "Elvis Presley has been found alive in Kansas City!" I doubt your education and whether or not I should even keep you on my friends list. Before you re-post, always check Snopes or Google to make sure the article is actually true.
3) Don't post visually displeasing pictures.
So you broke your leg? Please do not share the picture of the bone jutting out of your skin with red flesh everywhere. The last thing I want to see when scrolling down my news feed is a photo of the spider you found in your house, your cat giving birth, or the latest injury you procured. A simple written status update will suffice and if I really want to see pictures I will message you privately. Just because you can handle the sight of spiders, doesn't mean your Facebook friends can (arachnophobe right here).
4) Use spell check.
The days of text speak on social media are over. While a lol or haha is appropriate at the end of comments, "IDK my BFF Jill" days have come to an end. Correct spelling and grammatical errors are also a no-no. The amount of people on my friends list who still don't know the difference between they're/their/there and a part versus apart makes me feel as though the public school system has truly failed us. Remember that employers check your Facebook for professionalism and how you choose to post a status says a lot about you. (Side note: As writing this tip, I had the sudden fear to spell check this blog five times.)
5) Manage your relationship status like an adult would.
I would really rather that you just did not have your relationship status on your profile than to change it to "It's Complicated" every time you and your boyfriend have a fight. Do not publicly air complaints or fights with your significant other for all to see. Just broke up? You can actually choose rather or not you want it posted to your news feed if you want to keep it private. Have respect for yourself and choose the high road before giving out all your divorce/ break-up details in a status update.
6) Keep sensitive information to yourself.
Don't post a vague status about your horrible night if you do not want people to ask for details, because they will ask for details. The status at midnight that says "I can not believe this is happening" is slightly worrisome and concerning. Call your close friends to talk out your problems before sharing only tidbits on your Facebook.
7) Have respect for those experiencing a tragedy.
This is probably my biggest pet peeve of all and probably a more personal request. Nothing irks me more than people who put themselves in the middle of a Facebook friend's tragedy. So many times a person will experience a death in their family and all of a sudden everyone and their mother are posting about it. Did you know this now deceased person? Do you know their family or close friends? No? Then shut your mouth. This time is not about you and nothing infuriates me more than people who jump up and say "I knew them and I am so sorry for this loss!" on social media when they really did not. If you truly wish to share your condolences take it offline and do it in person.
I could spend all day writing more tips but instead I will leave you with this: Use your common sense when posting on Facebook and think through your actions. Do not use it as a forum to air your personal drama but rather to connect with your friends and share fun, meaningful experiences. And most importantly, when in doubt just don't post it and save me from saying "Bless your heart."
I agree with your post completely. I feel like people don't understand social media and post everything they can think of or just for attention. I believe there is a line between creating a persona you want to be by posting things that craft you into some sort of person, but also not over posting things or overly being involved in social just to be a part of the conversation. Even the slightest bit of a filter, or common sense, would do the internet some good in helping decipher what is real and what's not and what's worth the time to even look at.
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ReplyDeleteAll of these points are thoughts that I have, or once had while scrolling through my news feed. Recently, some girl posted a picture of her hickey on my news feed, as if to brag about it? I'm not entirely sure what the motivation behind it was, but in any case, it didn't help my opinion of her.
The first thing employers do when they consider you for hire is look at your Facebook. It's a good practice to ask yourself before posting: "Is this something that I don't mind my grandma seeing?" Even if she's not on Facebook, it'll make you double check yourself.
I completely agree with everything you just said. There is a social etiquette that most people think is common sense but some people just don't understand. People need to realize that some things just shouldnt be said to everyone on the internet. I understand that sometime someone really needs to talk to someone else about their issues but just because you need to talk to someone does not mean you should talk to everyone. Somethings really should be kept sacred and off social media and if it for attention or people are just naive some don't realize that. For the exactly points you just made I have really decreased my facebook use in the last couple years.
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