JUST as taking selfies and posting them online is now considered a mental disorder, venting on social media is as disturbing and annoying too. For one, Facebook, unlike the previous social media network Friendster, has allowed us to not only share pictures, videos, blogs, events, and other interesting stuff, it has also become an avenue for many to release their emotions whether positive or negative.
Of course, that is the very purpose of Facebook. Our so-called friends will be able to know what's keeping us busy and whatever we are thinking and feeling at the moment. Most especially for our loved ones who are away from us, they are able to keep track and connect with us despite the distance and vice versa. Through posting the so-called status updates, we can share to the entire FB world our successes, positive ideas, and significant milestones in our lives.
At the same time, Facebook has also permitted us to unleash our depressions, disappointments, anger, and other miseries. Speaking from a personal experience, I once fell victim to this temptation of releasing my fury with the intention of giving an innuendo on someone who has garnered my ire. Believe or not, that is something I swear I would never ever do again because of its adverse effects not only on my personal relationships but most importantly on my perceived image.
Kim Garst in her online article enumerated the top ten things that we must never post on social media. She reminds us all to run through our post before hitting that "publish" button to save us "from causing hurt or embarrassment to yourself or others." Firstly, offensive content which include racial slurs, graphic images, crude jokes, and swearing certainly should be avoided. Secondly, gossips or attacks against someone not only causes conflict and rips people apart but lashing out on social media also tells something more about ourselves than the person we're talking about.
Other things we should also avoid doing online include committing plagiarism and copyright infringement or posting ideas and content of others such as quotes, inventions, and other intellectual property without attribution; airing grievances against our company, boss, or co-employee which can be considered a ground for suspension or termination; sharing specific details of our trips or even our daily whereabouts for safety and security reasons; sharing private conversations without permission from the other person; sharing too much personal information such as identification cards to guard ourselves from identity theft; posting financial information such as bank and/or credit card accounts; posting unsubstantiated links and content; and lastly, sharing something that we don't like to be "online forever."
As Garst said, "In the age of screenshots, there is no 'taking it back', even if you've made a big mistake. Before you post anything remotely personal or sensitive, ask yourself, 'Do I want this to be online forever?' If the answer is no, don't hit the 'post' button!"