We all know that one person who just can’t seem to stop posting about every little thing on social media. They share pictures of their food, complain about their day-to-day, and make everyone’s newsfeed a total drag. You probably even know someone who’s had their reputation tarnished by something they posted online without realizing the consequences.
While it’s easy to be tempted to share everything with the world, it’s important to remember that what you post online stays there forever. Here are some ways to protect your reputation online and make sure your posts don’t come back to bite you later on:
Be thoughtful about what you post.
Before you hit the send button, take a step back and think about whether or not what you’re about to share is something you want to be seen by the world. Once it’s out there, you can’t take it back! So think twice before you post.
And that’s it! Now you know how to think about your content before you hit send. So go out there and be mindful of what you’re sharing with the world. It’ll save you a lot of headaches in the long run.
Keep your personal and professional lives separate.
If you wouldn’t want your boss or future employer to see it, then don’t post it! It’s important to keep your personal and professional lives separate online, as mixing the two can lead to some serious consequences.
For example, if you’re looking for a job, potential employers will almost certainly Google your name to see what comes up. If they find photos of you drunkenly stumbling out of a club or making offensive jokes, it’s not going to reflect well on you. Similarly, if you’re already employed, posting unprofessional content online can get you into hot water with your boss or even lead to getting fired.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that you have to censor yourself completely – after all, social media is all about sharing your life with others. Just be mindful of what you’re posting and think about how it might be perceived by others. If in doubt, err on the side of caution and don’t hit the publish button!
Don't post anything you wouldn't want your grandparents to see.
This one is pretty self-explanatory – if you wouldn’t want your grandparents to see it, then it’s probably not worth posting. Just remember that anything you post online is public, and can be seen by anyone.
This one goes hand-in-hand with the last tip. If you wouldn’t want your boss or future employer to see it, then don’t post it. Even if you think your privacy settings are set so that only your friends can see them, you can never be too sure. So play it safe and avoid posting anything that could potentially jeopardize your career.
Be aware of what you're sharing.
In the age of social media, it’s easy to share too much information without even realizing it. Before posting anything, be sure to check (and double-check) that you’re not sharing any sensitive or personal information that you wouldn’t want to be made public. This includes things like your home address, phone number, email address, birth date, and social security number. If you’re not sure whether or not something is too personal to share, err on the side of caution and don’t post it.
Additionally, be careful about what you share about other people. If you wouldn’t want someone sharing that information about you, don’t share it with someone else. This includes things like gossip, rumors, and unkind comments. Not only is it hurtful to the person you’re talking about, but it could also come back to bite you if they find out.
Finally, think before you post. Once something is online, it’s there forever. Even if you delete it later, there’s always the chance that someone has saved a copy or taken a screenshot. So if you’re not sure whether you should hit “post” or not, it’s probably best to err on the side of caution and not share it.
Remember, what you share online is a reflection of who you are, so be mindful of what you put out there!
Think before you post.
It can be tempting to hit the send button as soon as you’ve finished typing out your thoughts, but it’s important to take a step back and think about what you’re about to share before hitting publish. Once something is online, there’s no taking it back!
Before you share something online, ask yourself these questions:
- Is this something I would be comfortable sharing with everyone?
- Would I be okay with this being shared without my permission?
- How might this affect others?
- What if this got into the wrong hands?
If you’re unsure about whether or not something is appropriate to share, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. Once something is out there, you can’t take it back!
Don't post anything you wouldn't want your future self to see.
If you wouldn’t want your future self (or future employer) to see it, then it’s probably not something you should be posting online. Just remember that everything you post online is permanent, so think before you hit publish!
Even if you delete a post, it’s still out there somewhere. Once something is online, it’s very hard to get rid of it completely.
Be careful about what you click on.
In the age of fake news and clickbait, it’s important to be careful about what you click on and share online. Sharing something without verifying its accuracy can lead to some serious consequences down the line.
That’s why it’s important to always verify the sources of the information you’re sharing. Checking to see if other reputable news outlets are reporting on the same story is a good way to start. If they’re not, that’s a red flag.
You should also take a close look at the website or social media account that’s sharing the information. Is it a reliable source? Does it have a good track record? If not, you may want to think twice before sharing anything from that site.
Finally, if something seems too good (or too bad) to be true, it probably is. A healthy dose of skepticism can go a long way when you’re trying to spot fake news.
If you keep these things in mind, you’ll be well on your way to avoiding fake news and sharing only accurate information online.
By following these simple tips, you can protect your reputation online and make sure your posts don’t come back to bite you later on. Just remember: think before you post!
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