Social media sites such as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter are great resources for networking, communicating, advertising, reading news stories, and for personal entertainment. Although these sites have many benefits, always be careful about what you are posting, because what is put out on the Internet, stays there forever. Here are a few key tips for online etiquette.
Limit your amount of daily postings
Always check to make sure how many times you have already posted something today because no one likes the person who floods his/her newsfeeds. A good rule of thumb is limiting yourself to one Instagram photo per day and no more than three tweets.
Make kind considerations before tagging
It may be the best picture you have ever taken, but your best friends cleavage is showing and your other friend can barely stand. Don’t upload that particular picture, unless you can crop and use it for your profile photo.
Don’t just talk about yourself
Think: Is this really something you want to share or are you just venting on Twitter about how much you don’t like waiting in traffic and why you can’t stand a kid in your English class? Don’t use social media as an emotional dumping ground for your feelings because no one wants to hear it. Instead, find a better outlet to share and start tweeting or posting statuses about things that make you laugh.
Avoid Un-friending/Un-following
Rather than un-following or un-friending your ex, change your privacy settings for that particular person. Facebook allows you to be friends with someone, but they won’t have accessibility to all of your pictures and statuses. Twitter allows you to make a list of friends that you don’t read tweets from in your newsfeed. This way, you can still remain connected with your old friends without them finding out that you un-friended or unfollowed them.
Upload a professional profile picture
Rather than yet another “selfie” of yourself, consider one good picture and leave it for a month or two. Try to be selective in choosing a picture that reflects how you would like to be perceived by your friends, family and co-workers.
Don’t go by your full name
It’s more difficult for future employers to search you on the Internet if you go by your first and middle name. For your Instagram and Twitter account, put your nickname or come up with a funny creative username. Use the same username for Instagram and Twitter because it is easier for your friends to find you.
Stop before you click submit
Ask yourself if you would be okay with absolutely anyone looking at your picture on Instagram, or the status you are about to post on Facebook. Future employers could search your social media accounts and you don’t want that to jeopardize your chance of getting a job. Always think twice before submitting anything on social media.
Photo Sources:
http://entmoney.com/2012/12/17/did-facebook-backdoor-twitter-in-buying-i…
http://www.boston.com/ae/specials/culturedesk/2011/04/tweeting_banned_at…