Social media platforms have provided avenue for us to meet our friends and connect with new people. Just like any social place, when the conversation gets interesting, we begin to say things we shouldn’t even say just to keep the conversation going. The same applies to social media. Many people will post or tweet “unnecessarily” just to keep their timelines busy. But before you make a post, ask yourself this question, “Can anyone use this against me in the future?”
Whether you are on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin, Tumblr or any social media platform at all, this article is for you.
Here are five things you should desist from doing when on a social media platform.
5 Things You Should Never Do on Social Media
- Desist from hate speech
You might disagree with a particular group of people, ethnic or religion. But this does not mean you should publicly let everyone know what you think. Once you post about your hatred for a particular person or people, you make yourself their target. Any post you make about them later on trying to be objective will still be ignored, after all you never wish them good.
- Tagging someone in an embarrassing photo
Did you take a picture of a friends in an awkward situation or position? Maybe your friend even danced for you to record when the two of you were alone. It is never okay to upload that video without permission from that friend. Social media can help build one’s brand and certain graphics and images could compromise that. To upload a picture you took of a friend or with a friend in which the other party wasn’t in a good position or situation, never upload it without them agreeing.
- Writing negative posts about people
You might think you have the freedom to write what you wish but the one you are writing about has the right to also sue you if they feel offended. Constantly criticizing non-public figures could land you in trouble. Some even tell lies about others just to get their followers engaged. That is totally wrong. I was many times accused of something I never did by an individual in my town. He did this through his posts and Facebook live videos. I just decided to ignore him for karma to deal with it. You may meet someone less generous and you could end up in trouble.
- Making death threats
I remember that getting to the 2016 general elections in Ghana, a young man started threatening the member of Parliament in his constituency on Facebook. I intervened and asked him to stop and he did.
The dangerous aspect of making death threats on social media is that, someone could just hurt the individual and you will be the one to be held responsible.
- Posting your locations at all times
For security reasons, it is not advisable to make our locations and journeys public at all times. Criminals staying in your community could break into your house if they know you have travelled through your update on social media.
Robbers could also monitor your movement on social media and could harm you.
