We live in an era where many are considered Mini-Celebrities via their social media accounts. I had a love/hate relationship with MySpace (remember that?!) and then Facebook when I first joined, and it has continued. While I believe in living a transparent life, it has become so easy to overshare information.
Having an online existence can be fun and make you feel connected, but we must also safeguard moments that are sacred—meant just for us and our families.
Below I have listed my Top 5 Tips for posting to your favorite accounts (be it Instagram, Twitter or others) and protecting the sacred. Or, not divulging too many details about yourself (and/or) your family’s private life. (By the way, I have ideas to share because, like most, I have made mistakes.)
1. Ask yourself, “What is my intention in posting this?” My newsfeed has been full of summer vacation photos recently. They bring a smile to my face, and I genuinely enjoy them. Occasionally I think, “I’d love to visit that area, too!”
My family and I have thoroughly savored this season with a healthy mix of rest, recharge and play. It’s perfectly natural to have the time of our lives doing something and want to share it with someone else. Isn’t that one of the main points of living, after all? Checking my intentions has helped me before tapping that magical “Post” button.
Am I wanting to communicate with close family and friends across the miles? Am I showing off, or trying to Keep Up with the Joneses, if you will? I must THINK (Is it True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, Kind?) before listing. Once something is in cyberspace, it’s there for-e-ver (The Sandlot, anyone?).
2. When sharing photos of your children, other family members, or friends, ask for permission first. This is something most of us take for granted. Everybody has a Facebook account, after all.
This is one area I want to be better in. Though I have strict privacy settings on familial announcements, and my children are only 5, 3 and 1-year old; I hope to get into the habit of asking them before divulging. Another small, but significant, question that has helped: “Will this be something that embarrasses them when they are older?”
It can be argued that everything will embarrass them at a certain age, but I don’t want to add fuel to their adolescent fire.
3. If you are making a big announcement, be sure that you have notified those closest to you first. It is hurtful for a person to stumble across major news on your status update if they have not heard it directly from you. Use your own discretion for this.
I have been in friendships where I found out more about the person via their social updates than my interactions with them. Perhaps it’s the way the world is going, but I refuse to conform. Plus, it’s awkward.
4. It is possible to enjoy events and moments without sharing them with the world. An acquaintance once joked, “If it’s not on Facebook, did it really happen?!”
We hosted a big princess party earlier this year for my oldest daughter who turned 3. And there was nothing about it on our Facebook or Instagram accounts. Did we like the party? Yes, it was fabulous and everyone had a wonderful time. Most importantly, our girl felt like a true princess that day!
We did not make a conscious decision to not share, but it simply did not happen. I would argue that it was because we were present in the moment. And too tired to share anything afterwards!
Some of the greatest times I have experienced with family and friends are not documented. We were too busy savoring our time together.
5. I am for sharing helpful information. If there is a political candidate, idea or party you are especially passionate about, articles and ways to help are impactful. However, oversharing also applies in this area.
I sometimes find myself rolling my eyes and thinking, “Yes, we all know how you feel,” as I mindlessly scroll on my phone. Worst yet, during the 2016 Election, there were many I had to unfollow (on both sides of the aisle). If you truly want to make a difference, get off of Facebook and go do something. Call your senators, write a letter, organize a rally or peaceful protest… but please, stop telling the rest of us how we should feel.
And for the love of all that is good and holy, can we stop with the “Honk if you love Jesus,” Memes? (That was a freebie.)
So that is my challenge to you. Keep posting about the big and important moments in your lives, but not if it means ignoring the person next to you.