What to Share and Not Share on Social Media

by Isobel Walster

Social media is a big part of modern society and it is important to be involved so that you can stay up to date with news and other social developments. However, when it comes to what you post yourself, it can be difficult to know what to share and what to keep to yourself. Here, we run through some ideas of what you could base your posts on and what to avoid talking about at all costs.

What to Share

A good place to start when it comes to posting on social media is to give updates on what you’re doing. So, if you’re going on holiday or you’re visiting an interesting place, take a photo of yourself with a backdrop showing where you are. Instagram in particular is a great place to express your creativity, so why not practice your photography skills if you see a potential subject like a sunset. Don’t forget to experiment with photo editing, filters, and themes too. Other things you could post about are your thoughts and opinions on current affairs, and your interests such as your favourite films, music, or hobbies. It is also important to be responsible with your platform, so try to share important information like missing person adverts or charity event invitations when you see them. If you want your posts to be seen by lots of a people, take a look at this KENJI Instagram bot.

What Not to Share

It is easy to forget how accessible your posts are when you get into a habit of posting on social media regularly, however it is important to set boundaries for yourself so that you don’t end up making the kind of mistake that could get you into a lot of trouble. Posts spread like wildfire online, so a general rule of thumb to follow is to not post anything you wouldn’t want to be shared and seen by anyone, but don’t let this concept put you off expressing yourself. It is important to remember that social media makes your private life accessible to your professional contacts too, so don’t post anything you wouldn’t want people from work to see, including your bosses, and keep your standards high when it comes to spelling and grammar. You’d be surprised by the rights your employers have to let you go if they see concerning content on your social media accounts.

Similarly, you may feel that your accounts are just a bit of fun to share with friends however, if you share anything illegal you can get in trouble with the police, so think carefully before you post. If you become involved in an online discussion regarding a subject you feel passionate about, it can be tempting to be more outspoken than you would usually be due to the fact that you feel less vulnerable online. However, if you’re offensive, abusive or threatening you can get in some serious trouble.

As long as you think before you post, social media can be a great vehicle for the right kind of self-expression, the sharing of ideas, and a platform for important news to be accessed quickly and easily. For more social media tips, take a look at zenruption.com.