What not to do on the social network

With a plethora of websites gaining importance in our lives, here are some dos and don’ts that you need to follow to maintain a balanced, healthy image on the Internet 

Social networking sites have become an integral part of our lives. Connecting with a long-lost childhood friend, interacting with our favourite stars and touching base with people from other countries is no longer a dream.

Though websites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram and Flickr, to name a few, have made the world a smaller place, thanks to them, our lives have become open books. One, now, feels the need to share important details of their lives. But in the process, at times we end up posting some comments, pictures or videos that leave us red-faced.

Luckily, the ‘controversial’ matter can be deleted from social networking sites, but unluckily, it can’t be erased from others’ memories who have already seen them or formed an opinion about us. Here are some dos and don’ts that we need to keep in mind while expressing ourselves on social networking websites:

Private vs public
There are public updates and there are private messages. Don’t post everything on the timeline of people’s profile pages.

There are certain things, like a conversation between you and a friend or an acquaintance that needs to be sent as a message and not posted on his or her timeline or tweeted for the world to see. Refrain from washing dirty linen in public.

Do not lie
Thanks to technology, most of the information available on our profile page on a certain site becomes available to people on other networks.

Imagine a scenario where you have posted fake details on your LinkedIn profile because you want to seem like a good prospect for a future job interview. But your true details are available on Facebook. You are definitely not going to get that job. Ensure that you maintain the same details on all social networking sites where you have an account.

Security issues due to excess information
Giving out too much information can be dangerous for you and your family. Posting your phone number on social networking sites is like an open invitation for anybody to call you.

Putting up your address in your details and then posting on your timeline that you are enjoying your holiday abroad is like an open invitation to robbers. Posting your kid’s pictures and saying proudly that he or she is off to so and so school exposes them to people who might want to harm you through your children. While these scenarios may seem a bit far fetched to you, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Do not share your password
No matter how much you trust your best friend or that special someone, do not share your password with them.

Unfortunately, if your relationship sours, you’ll face the risk of your account getting hacked and someone else gaining access to your personal messages.

Stay away from strangers
Be wary of whom you add to your friends list. Becoming friends with scammers allows them the opportunity to spam your timeline, tag you in posts and send you malicious messages. Your real friends may also end up being targeted.

A picture speaks a thousand words
Avoid putting up pictures which are too personal on social networking sites, especially if your colleagues and official contacts are on your friends lists. When colleagues and seniors at work are involved, one would want to maintain the image of being a professional. The last thing that you would want is to provide fodder for gossip.

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