Social Media Shenanigans: Scandalous Screenshot

We would all love to believe that our little orbs of privacy are secure and well. You have done it and it has most certainly been done to you. Take a scroll through your phone and have a look at the number of screen shots that you have. I ventured into mine and almost fell over when I realized I have over 500 screen shots. Many of the screenshots are of recipes, timetables, schedules and tips on how to keep plants alive! If I am really honest, there are also screenshots of conversations and Facebook posts that I had to share with a certain cousin of mine who is not on any social media platform. Some posts and comments just have to be shared with those who are wise enough to stay off these platforms.

A few seconds to get a screenshot and it’s a part of our digital behavior to forward to friends, share a giggle or start an entirely new conversation based on that screenshot. We can try, but trust me we fail, in keeping our conversations completely private. It is utterly out of our control what our co-conspirators- (ahem, cough) I mean- co-conversationalists do with our conversations. I will give you the advice I have been dishing out for a few years now but people still seem to ignore. The screenshot is from Lucifer! The devil? Beelzebub? The Prince of Darkness? Take your pick. Just beware the power of the screenshot.

Some simple thoughts on this very controversial topic and if it sounds like a lecture, it’s because I’m lecturing myself too (cringe and shudder in horror).

Gossip grenades

There are of course acceptable things to screenshot and forward. However, where there is malicious intent, then you would be well advised to think again. You may not want to admit this but forwarding screenshots of chats is equivalent to the days when you would stand on tip-toe over the neighbours fence and discuss why there was a sedan parked outside Carol’s house until all hours while Bob was away on a business trip. Hmmm hmmmm. Relationships have been bulldozed to dust as a result of a screenshot and reputations have been shredded because nimble fingers have done their job in record time. Screenshots that could potentially harm someone is a no-no. Ask yourself what is your intention and what do you hope to achieve before you take that screenshot.

Just Deserts

Our laws are very sketchy about the consequnces if someone infringes your privacy by sending around screenshots of something that was meant to be private. A quick note that the Cybercrimes Bill was finally signed into law so please take some time as a responsible Netizen to find out what that means for you. My take is to just tread carefully about anything you say on a digital platform.

When no one has handed you a script of what goes, use your common sense and better judgment. Most text conversations are meant to be private, whether in a group or one on one. We all assume that within the confines of certain relationships, we are meant to keep certain confidences. If you really need to discuss the contents of that conversation, rather pick up the phone and have a conversation. Think carefully about your reputation before you send that screenshot. Can you actually be considered trustworthy when you are violating someone else’s trust? I feel compelled to mention that if you have ever sent a screenshot of something to the same person you were screenshotting, well some people just call that getting your just deserts!!

Think before you post

I can’t count the number of times I have warned people to take down posts or edit their posts and they obviously think I’m poking my nose into their business, when they really didn’t need my input at all. Freedom of speech and all that jazz. By the time you realize you have made a mistake and remove a post, you will find it’s already too late. Some quick thinking soul would have screenshot it and even if you remove it, there will be no denying culpability once that screen shot gets around. If someone gives you advice about your post, take it. This is true whether you post as an individual, on behalf of an organization or your very own company or group. All it takes is one disgruntled person to screenshot a post you subsequently remove, to bring your digital life to a screeching halt, while your real life crumbles around you. I am an exaggerator of note but trust me on this. Too many lives have been publicly destroyed because someone didn’t think carefully before posting. If you need to, consult a content creator to help you with your business posts and consult your common sense if you are posting as an individual.

My final thoughts on this would be:

Do use your common sense and better judgment

Do take a breath and think before you post

Do read up on the laws on social media so that you can be sure you are not breaking any