Don't Do It..Please Don't Do It-10 Social Media Faux Pas

There are hundreds of social networks, all designed to give others insight into your personal or professional life.Over the past couple weeks, on more than one occasion, I have come across posts, statuses, and pictures (Twitter,Facebook, Instagram) that have left me baffled. For the most part, everybody that I am friends with is over the age of 16, so it surprises me when I see certain people making such immature decisions about what to share online. After seeing one photograph, I truly get concerned about the well being of our generation. Are we such online addicts and social media junkies, that we need to share EVERY aspect of our lives, even those that should undeniably remain private?

Whether you have a personal, or professional Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc..there are definitely certain etiquette we should be aware of , and faux pas we should try to avoid!

1. Middle Finger/Middle School Poses-This was barely acceptable in middle school where it originated. So unless your taking photos, killing time before your Friday night skating party, let it go.
2. tYPiN lYk Dis-This shouldn't even need to be explained, but sadly. Posts like this make people question whether you should be enrolled in college or Sylvan.
3. Extreme Profanity-We all are adults, and we all use adult language at some point. Cussing all time though, and doing so publicly is just tasteless and makes you seem ratchet. Remember, most social media is ALL about perception.
4. Topless Pictures-This applies to both males and females. Men you are not exempt. What type of attention are you trying to attract? Most importantly, what are you trying to prove?
5. Men referring to women as b*tches/h*es- Refer to them at such and that's exactly what you will get.
6. Constantly posting about sex or sexually explicit things-It's one thing to mention sex now and then, or to be engaging in an "educated/tasteful" conversation on sexual matters, but to constantly post updates on your libido and/or quotes from a sexual song? No. Again, who are you trying to attract?
7. Social Media Breakdowns-Everybody gets mad, sad, frustrated, and outright livid. Twitter, facebook, instagram..etc are NOT the place to share this. Taking the time to photograph yourself having a meltdown, and or tweet/post all your rantings only makes you look crazy. Sure you'll get the attention you wanted, but not a lick of empathy. Most people are just nosey, judgemental,or capturing screen shots to share with friends :)
8. Tweets specifically about your job or pictures of you doing nothing...on your job. - This is strictly from a professional sense. We are all guilty of being bored at work, and taking that to social media, but pictures of yourself doing nothing and/or tweeting specifics about your job is not the way to go. This is especially true if your page is not private. You'd be surprised how many people get caught up this way.
9. Complaints about the opposite sex- First,Clearly, if you have that many complaints about the opposite sex, you aren't in a happy relationship yourself. That being said, maybe it's time to consider who really is the problem. Second, constantly taking jabs at what's wrong with the opposite sex is only convincing people that maybe what you're looking for...may not be in the opposite sex.
10. Posts bragging about all the things you are "going to do"- Actions speak louder than words. It's that simple. Each post about what you will do only decreases your credibility, as had you done it already, you wouldn't be posting about it.

I love social media! But quite frankly, some of the ignorance I see following my own generation makes me feel so anxious, that I have to go on haitus' just to regain sanity! I'm no post prodigy, but from a PR perspective I am very aware of perception, and how people are coming off. Even if you don't have a professional page, and your just online for fun, be mindful! You always want to present your best self, you never know who is watching you. Realistically, this post probably won't change anything, but I've done my part by bringing it to light! :)