Social Media Shenanigans: For Better or Worse

Even though I’m 40 (cough) something there are some days when I am reminded of high school life and I wince. Other days, I thank my lucky stars I was there before the advent of social media. There have been times when I have interacted on some or other social media platform that I think it’s not far off from mimicking life at high school. Did so and so like my post? Why didn’t so and so like my post? Why didn’t so and so invite me to be their friend? Why did so and so invite when I know for a fact she doesn’t even like me? Why was I excluded from that group? It's a complicated union and you had better treat that union right or be on the receiving end of a terrible break-up.

We would all like to believe that the relationship we have with various social media platforms is mature and responsible but chances are we have at some stage posted something that offended someone. Maybe they took you on about the post, maybe they posted a nasty comment or maybe they just suffered in silence and gritted their teeth every time you posted something new. Even though social media platforms can feel like a safe place, where you can be adventurous and say things you wouldn’t normally say, it’s never a good idea to follow through with that instinct.

If you think you can divorce yourself from your social media posts as easy as it is to divorce a spouse these days, think again. Your relationship is forever. It's probably the longest standing relationship you will ever have. Once something is out in the cyberverse, it is nearly impossible to ever be certain that you can take it back or delete it forever. Everyone has a voice! Social media has a molten and sometimes unidentifiable, unnamed audience. Can you really be certain that even after you have deleted a post that someone doesn’t have a screenshot of it, ready and available for distribution to other Netizens? Maybe it’s a bit far fetched to say forever, but your posts can remain for a long, long, long time!

Maybe these few pointers will help you keep your sanity and your reputation intact.

Accountability

I cannot emphasize this enough. You are in charge of your digital footprint. Yes-Google yourself and see what comes up. Satisfy yourself that everything is as it should be. You will be flabbergasted to see yourself tagged in certain photo’s that you had forgotten was out there. You shape your online identity so take it seriously.

Tick Tock

Spend some time going over your posts and delete the one’s that make you cringe and shudder. Yes we have all done it. In a moment of madness in the past, we say something that we no longer believe, express an opinion we no longer subscribe to or comment on an inappropriate joke or sentiment posted by someone else. It may not be erased forever but at least it is out of the immediate public eye. It will at least take more effort and timer someone to dig up that post. Once you have deleted those posts, take another moment to check your settings.

Say Adieu

Remove yourself from groups where their original mission has changed or your reasons for joining have dissipated. Even if you don’t agree with the content that’s being posted in a group, your membership (even if you are silent) could imply that you agree with the content being posted. Even a remote association with an unsavoury group could cost you your reputation.

My final thoughts on this would be:

· Do not let common sense become a stranger.

· Do not assume that your digital footprint cannot be used by cybercriminals or rivals to cause you serious harm.

· Do not be fooled by a false sense of togetherness and familiarity on social media. People will turn on you to save themselves the horror of social media shaming.