Let’s pretend every whispered secret, every hurried text, or spur-of-the-moment posts was somehow stamped onto a wall that everyone could see. This thought seems a bit dramatic until you consider how the internet has evolved into just that—a sort of digital wall that never truly fades. These days, the phrases “the internet never forgets” or “nothing is ever truly deleted online” are common words that go around on the internet, and they’re fast becoming as familiar as warnings about eating too much sugar or skipping sunscreen.
Yet somehow, the urge to share on Instagram or TikTok—a photo, a thought, a late-night opinion—seems to drown out that reality. Maybe it’s the thrill of connection, or the comfort of likes and hearts, or simply the modern day norm of documenting our lives in real-time.
Posting a photo or a quick update feels harmless. After all, everyone does it. But with each upload, we’re leaving digital breadcrumbs. There will always be that person on the internet to screenshot your Instagram or Facebook stories/posts, and someone to save your TikTok video. And every information you share on any of these social apps will be remembered. It’s all too easy to forget how one tweet, shared in the heat of a moment, can resurface at the most inconvenient times, or how a seemingly private message could end up as a viral screenshot. In a world where data is currency, our casual social media habits are creating an archive of our lives that may outlast us.
Not to mention each time we create a new account on these apps, we hand over pieces of personal information without a second thought—your names, emails, even locations. The platforms ask, and we give (some algorithms and data usage more questionable than others). But as this “sharing” culture grows, it’s worth wondering why we feel so willing to give even more when, in the back of our minds, we know how long it may last.
Have We Become Too Comfortable Sharing Our Lives Online?
Since the internet has become such a regular part of our lives, the line between personal and professional boundaries often fades without us even realizing it. The habit of sharing everything online can easily lead us to post things we might later regret, with effects that go far beyond our own circle of friends.
Take the example of Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin in 2022. A video of her drinking, partying and enjoying a night out with friends was posted to a private Instagram account but eventually leaked, it quickly turned into an international headline. Marin faced public scrutiny and criticism, and even went so far as to take a drug test to address the backlash. It seems that many of us may not fully realize just how far-reaching and lasting our online actions can be.
The Risks of Oversharing and How to Avoid It
Everyone has different ideas about what to keep private and what to share at work. Some people prefer to keep things strictly professional, while others don’t mind becoming close friends with their coworkers and share more openly. But even when we try to keep strong boundaries between our work and personal lives, social media blurs the line. Sometimes, things about you may end up online, not because you posted them, but because someone else did.
Studies show that more than half of people feel uneasy about friends, family, or colleagues sharing things—like photos, videos, or personal stories—that they didn’t want to go public. But many of us are also guilty of oversharing about ourselves on social media and end up regretting it. A little sharing seems harmless, but putting too much of our private lives online can lead to real problems, especially at work.
Oversharing on social media doesn’t just risk embarrassment—but jobs too. Many employers do some digging on social media when they’re considering job candidates, and some people have even lost their jobs over things they posted. As a result of this, more and more companies are creating policies to help reduce the risks that come with social media use.
Why We Overshare
Have you ever shared something online in a moment of excitement or frustration, only to look back and think, “I shouldn’t have posted that”? It happens, and that sucks. Research shows how people frequently overshare when they’re emotional or stressed, and social media makes it easy to act in the moment. When we feel strong emotions, we tend to reach out online for support, when we’re celebrating good news with friends, or venting about a frustrating day at work. These emotions are what lead us to post things we might later regret. This can affect not only how others see us but also our careers and relationships.
What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?
To help avoid these pitfalls, here are 3 straightforward tips to help you keep your online life secure and avoid any social media regrets.
01
Set Boundaries
We all know that awkward feeling when someone comments rudely on a personal post or when a family member tags us in something a bit too silly for the professional world. Protecting your personal life online starts by setting some ground rules. Decide what stays private and what you’re comfortable sharing, and let friends, family, and coworkers know your limits. If someone crosses a line, don’t hesitate to let them know.
You can also draw these boundaries by keeping separate social media accounts for work and personal life—sharing work-related updates on one, and keeping the other for personal moments. This way, you stay in control of who sees what.
02
Treat Others on Social Media the Same Way You Would Like to be Treated
Learn and respect the boundaries of others, avoid sharing photos or videos of others without their consent. If someone doesn’t want to be tagged, not okay having their photo or video taken, it’s only fair to respect their wishes.
03
Avoid Social Media When Emotional
When emotions are high—whether it’s anger, excitement, or sadness—it’s best to step back from social media. Give yourself time to process before posting. Just think for a second; would you be okay with your boss, colleagues, hundreds or thousands of your followers seeing what you’re about to share? Considering this before posting anything online is a great pause button to help you think twice before sharing something you might later regret.
What if you already posted something unwanted?
If you realize you’ve posted something you’d rather take back, delete it as soon as possible. If it’s already landed on someone else’s page, ask them to remove it. In cases where it’s spread widely, you might need to contact the website or platform that hosts it to request its removal.
Online content removal services are also available, and most social media platforms offer privacy guides to help you control who sees what. One example is, Facebook’s privacy checkup page, allows you to review and adjust who can see your posts, helping you stay in control of your online presence.
Closing Thoughts
Don’t be caught off guard when things people share online surprise you. From every detail of their personal lives to some posts that seem like things they’d hope their kids never see.
That’s not to say social media is no good. Social media is actually a great tool for connecting with people from all walks of life. But when it comes to “oversharing,” there’s a fine line between connection and causing unintended harm, especially when some things are best kept private. In my view, many people have become a bit too comfortable with what they share. A little self-censorship wouldn’t hurt. Then again, everyone has the right to post whatever they want. So, if you, as a viewer, don’t like someone’s oversharing, just scroll on. That’s what I do. And sometimes, people learn their limits the hard way.
