3 Reasons You Should Clean Your Social Media Posts

Spring cleaning your social media posts is an opportunity that extends beyond just the spring season. Unlike cleaning the physical rooms in your house, this process involves clearing out your digital devices, especially the ones in your pocket.

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Why Should I Clean My Social Media Posts?

Although I initially intended to focus solely on broadly cleaning social media posts, it quickly became apparent that social media has much more significance in our lives than simply being a means to post content. Given the various aspects of our lives connected to social media, such as our reputation, messaging, and sentiments, I believe regularly cleaning up our social media posts is essential. In the following paragraphs, I will outline my reasoning for doing so.

Social media has proven valuable for people to stay connected and seek or offer support during pandemic quarantines. While we should continue leveraging its benefits, reflecting thoughtfully on our social media usage is crucial. For instance, would you feel comfortable handing over your personal diary or a photo album to a stranger? The answer is likely no, and the same care should be taken with our online presence.

Data Dentist: Clean your social media — Apply hygiene to your social media persona.

Privacy Concerns

Disclosing our personal information can create significant privacy issues that malicious individuals can exploit.

Personal Information Disclosure refers to the practice of revealing one’s personally identifiable information (PII) or sensitive data to other individuals or entities, either voluntarily or involuntarily, through social media platforms. Such information can include name, address, phone number, email address, date of birth, social security number, credit card information, location data, photos, videos, daily routines, and preferences.

Malicious Activities include but are not limited to the following:

Tracking and Monitoring: Social media companies often track user activity and collect data on their behavior, which can be used for targeted advertising or sold to third-party companies.
Cyberstalking and Cyberbullying: Social media can enable online harassment and stalking, which can have profound psychological effects on victims.
- Cyberstalking refers to the use of technology to harass or intimidate someone. It can take the form of unwanted emails, messages, or posts on social media. It can be incredibly distressing because it can happen anytime and be challenging to escape.
- Cyberbullying is similar but involves explicitly using technology to bully or harass someone. It can take many forms, such as spreading rumors, posting embarrassing pictures, or sending threatening messages. Cyberbullying can have serious consequences for the victim, including depression, anxiety, and in extreme cases, even suicide.
Public Embarrassment: Posts or comments on social media can have long-term consequences, such as damaging a user’s reputation or job prospects. This can occur when an individual posts something that they later regret or that others find offensive, leading to public criticism, ridicule, or even backlash.
Identity Theft: Identity theft is the fraudulent use of someone’s personal information without their consent, typically for financial gain. Social media posts can be a potential source of personal information; identity thieves can use that to impersonate someone or access their financial accounts. Cybercriminals can also use social engineering tactics to extract personal information from unsuspecting users, such as phishing emails or fake social media profiles. Therefore, it’s crucial to be cautious about the information shared on social media and regularly monitor financial statements for any suspicious activities.

Taken Out-of-Context, Misinterpreted

Social media posts can be misinterpreted or taken out of context when the reader lacks the necessary background information or when the post is not clear or precise enough. The tone and intent of a post can also be misinterpreted, leading to misunderstandings or miscommunications. Additionally, posts can be taken out of context when shared or reposted without the original context or manipulated or edited to convey a different message.

Matthew Kobach and David Perell, experts in social media and writing, meticulously edit their posts before publishing to enhance the quality of their advice and minimize unintended effects.

Matt Kobach is not your everyday tweeter.

To be wise in writing social media posts, you can follow these tips:

Think before you post: Consider the potential impact of your post on your reputation and the way others may interpret it.
Edit your post: Review it for grammar, spelling, and clarity before publishing it.
Avoid controversial topics: Avoid posting about sensitive topics that may offend others or lead to arguments.
Stay positive: Focus on positive messages and uplifting content to inspire and encourage others.
Be respectful: Show respect and kindness towards others, even if you disagree.
Avoid oversharing: Keep personal information private and avoid sharing too much about your life.
Consider the audience: Consider who your audience is and how they may perceive your post.
Keep it professional: If you are posting on behalf of a business or organization, keep your posts professional and aligned with the brand’s values and image.

Let your digital persona reflect your growth and evolution

Matt Kobach on your social media persona.

Social media provides a platform to express ourselves and share our experiences. As we go through life, we experience different things and grow and change as individuals. Our views, opinions, and interests evolve over time, and we may have different priorities and values as we mature. This is reflected in the way we communicate on social media. We may share different types of content, engage with different people and communities, and present ourselves in different ways as we evolve. Therefore, social media allows us to reflect on our personal growth and development.

Old social media posts can potentially damage your reputation and future opportunities. For example, inappropriate or offensive posts can be used against you by employers, colleagues, or even friends. Posts taken out of context or misunderstood can also lead to negative consequences. In extreme cases, online harassment or cyberbullying can occur due to old posts. It’s essential to regularly review and clean up your social media posts to avoid any potential harm.

Our collaboration with the National Cyber Security Alliance involves endorsing the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. campaign. An essential aspect is considering the potential risks associated with social media activities. For instance, posting vacation photos on Facebook when you’re not home could increase the likelihood of a burglary. Therefore, it’s wise to hold off sharing such images until you return from the trip. To learn more about the campaign and tips to stay safe online, check out the STOP.THINK.CONNECT. article, which is available in various languages.