Relationships July 5, 2018
If you wouldn't want your parents to see it, you shouldn't post it.
Image via writix.co.ukIf you wouldn’t want your grandma to see it, maybe you shouldn’t post it.
When it comes to social media, it can be really difficult to discern between what is too risky to post and what is just fine. Being conscious of what you post is extremely important, seeing as it may be the difference between getting a job or not.
Did your parents ever tell you to not post certain images or videos because colleges could see it? The same is true in the professional field. Huffington Post reported in 2017 that about 70% of employers check their future employees’ social media sites before hiring them.
Just remember that what you post and the way in which someone perceives it is a judge on your personal character.
When accepting a friend request, it’s okay to be selective. In fact, you should be picky about who you allow to follow your account. A good way to practice this exclusivity is to accept the requests from only people that you actually know.
The Public Relations Society of America gives a list of several practices to follow when it comes to your social media.
PRSA claims that when used correctly, social media can be a great networking tool. You are able to follow accounts that peak your professional interests. You can also use your accounts as a way to stay connected with your professional network.
Also, make sure that you thoroughly read anything that you are posting or reposting. Take the time to read the entire article, not just the headline. Do not fall into the click bait trap.
Being consistent and routine when it comes to posting is another good practice to follow. Morgan McKinley said it’s important to keep up your online presence. Make sure your online persona matches from platform to platform.
When it comes to don’ts of social media, definitely do not overshare. Some topics are meant to be personal and should be kept that way. You don’t ever want to come off as offensive, so try to keep your content PG.
Another tip to remember is to be aware of is tagging. Oftentimes friends think it is hilarious to post a picture that paints you in an unflattering light, to say the least. Be sure to not turn around and do the same to someone else. If you wouldn’t want a picture of yourself circulating the internet, your friend probably wouldn’t want that as well.
Lastly, avoid heated altercations. It can be easy to get caught up in the heat of the moment and post exactly what’s on your mind. However, this is not always the smartest idea. The posts you comment on can follow you around for quite some time.
It is becoming more and more frequent that people get into Twitter fights or Facebook wars. The easiest way to avoid these arguments is to simply not respond. Resist the urge to unleash a fit of rage on a fellow social media user. If you really feel the need to comment on a situation, make sure to think first and to post later.
Forbes gives a list of questions to ask yourself when crafting a post. Among these questions is asking yourself if you made any grammatical mistakes. Spelling mistakes can be the downfall of you as a social media user. You wouldn’t want your potential employer to see all your spelling and grammar mistakes.
Now that the scary part is over, here are some helpful tips and tricks when it comes to social media etiquette.
Sometimes, you may be required to post under a company account. This type of posting requires extra caution. Be sure to keep in mind the brand of the business.
If you really want a social media account where you can be your true self, it may be wise to create a separate and private account. Many people have started to make “finsta” accounts.
USA Today states that this a mash up of the two words fake and Instagram. People make accounts like these to post pictures that they may not want everyone to see. They create a finsta complete with a fake name and privacy settings turned on to hide their identity whileSometimes, owners of these accounts won’t attach their picture to the account. This could be an alternative option if you are looking to post pictures from you night out, while simultaneously keeping it private.
Most importantly, remember that people aren’t using social media to personally target you. For example, if someone does not accept your friend request or like your post, it’s not because they hate you. Try not to take social media personally. It will ultimately lead to some unwanted hurt.
Keep in mind the most important rule when it comes to social media is to be kind to one another. With the ability to hide behind a screen, it can be really easy to slip into negative habits. However, bullying and being mean in general is never a good idea. Try to cultivate a loving helping environment on social media.
