Social media platforms rise and fall. Think about Myspace. It existed before Facebook became popular, though it fulfilled the same essential functions. Then, it vanished, leaving only memories for those who used it.
These days, you have many more social media platforms. You can use Facebook, which its creator now calls Meta. You might utilize Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, or more fringe platforms with fewer members. You can use these platforms for fun or networking.
Many people find social media useful, but others run into problems when they use it. We’ll talk about how people sometimes reveal their authentic selves on social media platforms right now.
Social Media for Practical Purposes
If you use social media for practical purposes and watch what you post on it, you’re probably fine. For instance, you might create a LinkedIn account and network with others in your industry. If your boss ever downsizes the company and lets you go, you can leverage your LinkedIn connections and find something new.
You can use a free person lookup tool and locate social media profiles for people you know. Many companies do this before hiring someone. They want to know what you say and do on social media because your activities reveal much about your hobbies and preferences.
An Offhand Comment Can Cause Trouble
Social media has practical uses, but some people use it without thinking much about what they are revealing. If you post something on Twitter in the middle of the night without considering what you’re saying, that single tweet might come back to haunt you in the coming years.
Think about Roseann Barr’s situation. She tweeted something racist, and the showrunners kicked her off her rebooted TV series. Many other celebrities have experienced similar problems. They make a throwaway comment, and they must then face the consequences if it gets them negative attention.
How to Avoid These Issues
You often show parts of yourself on social media that reveal your hidden beliefs. It seems almost compulsory for some people. They say the worst things because they feel invisible behind their smartphone or computer screen.
Remember, though, you are not invisible. When you post something, the public can often trace it back to you, even if you think you’re anonymous. If that happens, it can change your life forever. This happens with ordinary people, just like with celebrities.
You should consider staying off social media entirely. If you’re trying to stay in touch with people, you can do that via phone calls, emails, and text messages. You don’t need social media for that.
You can also think carefully before sending any message via a social media platform. Don’t send messages while intoxicated. Don’t repost memes with questionable content.
These days, some celebrities go through social media training. Their publicists demand they avoid posting controversial content, but some still can’t help themselves. Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets is another example. He has posted distasteful content on several occasions and seen massive pushback from the media, his teammates, and the general public.
Monitor Your Social Media Activities
If you’re not a celebrity, you probably don’t have publicists or handlers telling you what to say and do on social media. You must monitor and police your behavior.
Many times, if you step outside yourself and try seeing your actions through different eyes, you’ll know what not to post on social media platforms. Think about the memes, messages, and other material you post and how someone else would view it.
If you’re considering posting something that you know your boss wouldn’t want to see, don’t hit the send button. If you’re thinking about saying something you wouldn’t want your significant other to see, don’t post that, either.
Some people feel like we’re in the over-sharing age, and it’s hard to argue with that. Too many people, whether they’re in the public spotlight or not, post questionable or even repellent content before they take some time to truly think it over. A moment’s hesitation sometimes saves you.
Set Strict Rules for Yourself
If you set rules for yourself regarding what you post on social media, you should do fine. If you can’t seem to police your own behavior, though, getting off social media entirely might be the smartest move.
You don’t need it to live in the modern world, and some people function better without it. You might even feel less anxiety if you quit social media cold turkey.
