As a follow-up to a previous blog entry on slapstick on social media, let’s tackle another pet peeve – oversharing. Let’s face it: the digital age has turned us all into accidental memoirists. Thanks to social media, we’ve started sharing every sneeze, snack, and thought as if we’re being paid by the post or are delusional enough to think that all those anonymous followers really give a damn. Somewhere between our first “LOL” and our latest unfiltered selfie, we seem to have misplaced one important thing: boundaries. And no, “boundaries” isn’t just that thing your ex said you needed more of after you live-tweeted your breakup.
Remember the good old days when privacy meant keeping your diary locked, and not just setting your Instagram profile to “close friends”? Today, “privacy” is a quaint notion we nod at nostalgically while live-streaming our dental cleanings. It’s not enough to simply have breakfast anymore; you need to let the world know it’s avocado toast, that the avocado came from your neighbour’s tree, and that your neighbour might be passive-aggressively judging you because you didn’t compost last week.
It’s not just us, though; social media wants us to overshare. After all, that’s how it thrives—on engagement, clicks, and a steady diet of your deepest insecurities masquerading as memes. Oversharing isn’t just about posting one too many beach selfies or confessing your secret fear of moths to the internet (although, same). There’s a darker side to this digital diary we’re all keeping.
- Identity theft on a silver platter: You know that cute baby picture of your kid holding their birth certificate that you just posted? Yeah, hackers probably appreciate the freebie. Oversharing isn’t just embarrassing; it can literally make you a target.
- Digital dirt lasts forever: You might think that TikTok rant about your boss is hilarious, but HR might not share your sense of humour when they see it during your next job hunt.
- Creepers creep: Tagging your location in real time might make you feel like a Kardashian, but unless you have security guards to match, you’re essentially inviting strangers to join your coffee date unannounced.
Think of the Children
If you thought adult oversharing was bad, let’s talk about children running loose on social media. Parents have an uncanny ability to turn their offspring into content machines. Little Timmy scored his first soccer goal? That’s adorable—until you’ve posted 47 photos of it and a stranger online knows which school Timmy attends. Did you ask permission from any of his friends’ parents if you could post the photos of them as well?
Children have no say in their digital footprints, yet some parents are out here documenting their kids’ every tantrum, bath time, and spaghetti-faced moment like they’re auditioning for The Real Housewives of Your Suburb. Harmless? Not always. Oversharing about minors can lead to online predators, digital legacy regrets and privacy erosion.
How to Stop Oversharing (Without Quitting Social Media Cold Turkey)
If you’ve recognised yourself in any of the above, congratulations! You’re self-aware, and that’s half the battle. The other half is resisting the urge to post every fleeting thought or emotion. I am not trying to stop anyone from sharing the joy or the fun, but be mindful of boundaries, respectful of the privacy of others, and most importantly, keep yourself and the people you post about safe.
- Pause before you post: Ask yourself: “Do I really need to share this?” If the answer is “meh,” maybe sit this one out.
- Turn off geotags: Unless you’re hosting a flash mob, there’s no need to announce your exact location.
- Respect your kids’ autonomy: Before you post, imagine them seeing it at age 18. Will they laugh—or hire a lawyer?
- Embrace the group chat: Not every embarrassing story needs a global audience. Your close friends will appreciate the tea, and you’ll spare the rest of us.
While social media can be a great way to connect, we need to stop treating it like a confessional booth with free Wi-Fi. Some things are best left unsaid—or at least kept between you and your closest 2,000 followers. So, next time you feel the urge to post a play-by-play of your root canal, remember: just because you can share it, doesn’t mean you should.
Related blog entry:
From Compassion to Content: Why do Struggles and Accidents Go Viral on Social Media?
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