We are all guilty of posting something we later regret. Maybe we were angry, out of it, or just taken by the moment. Whatever the case may be, the internet never forgets. Something we thought would be a good idea to post at the moment can come back to haunt us years later–possibly costing us our dream job.
That’s why I made this brief list to warn you about what not to post!
I am not (insert an adjective here), but…Â
If you need to clarify that you are not racist/sexist/transphobic before making your statement you should not post it. People tend to believe what they want meaning a statement that holds so much power may be misinterpreted. Overly explaining yourself may give you more of a mess to clean up than you intended!
This advice applies to variations of this statement and to all forms of oppression.
Jokes about faith/religion
Religion and faith are sensitive topics for people. We need to be culturally sensitive when it comes to personal beliefs. There are respectful ways to discuss the issues related to religions, make sure this is the path you are choosing to follow. And most importantly, ask yourself twice, is it really necessary to bring religion to the topic you are intending to discuss?
Kids’ pictures without clear parental consent
When interacting with a child, even if it is your niece, nephew, or your BFF’s baby, always make sure that their parents are comfortable with what you are doing. There are multiple reasons why parents might not want their child to be exposed to social media. More importantly–safety concerns. Unfortunately, there are bad people out there, really bad people so we always want to make sure, as adults, we are protecting those who cannot protect themselves.
Never post a picture of anyone (underage or not) without their consent. Consent is always key!
Too much negativity about your job/school
I get it. I complain as well. Pursuing things like a PDH can suck sometimes. We all have are bad days but we must remember to be mindful. Even if you believe you are posting to your close friends only, your “close friends” could send what you post to your peers, professors, or boss. Expressing your concerns is necessary, however, you don’t want to be offensive to your boss, professors, advisors, co-workers, or peers. Chanel your frustrations, grievances, and complaints in more effective ways instead! Remember, your social media is one of the ways you show yourself to the world, so make sure what you’re showing shows off your true self!
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Follow these steps and I’m sure you’ll continue to have a healthy and positive relationship with social media. Always speak your mind but also, always be mindful with your mind. If you decide to express highly controversial opinions–be aware of the consequences. Be prepared to stand up to the haters. Being brave and standing up for what you believe in could open many doors, just be cautious which one you enter.