We’ve all been there. We see something interesting and want to share it with our friends, so we post it on social media. But then, seconds later, we realize that maybe we shouldn’t have posted it. It might be offensive, insensitive, or just plain wrong. To save you from future embarrassment (or worse), we’ve put together a list of questions you can use.
41 Questions you should ask before posting anything on social media:
- Who will see this?
- Is this something I want my boss or future boss to see?
- Would I be okay with my grandparents seeing this?
- What would my family or boss think of this post?
- Am I sharing too much?
- Is this post going to add value to someone’s day?
- Is this post creative or thought-provoking?
- Do I have permission to share this photo/video/article?
- Will this post make me look good or bad?
- How will this post make other people feel?
- What reaction do I hope to get from this post?
- If no one likes or comments on this post, would I still be happy with it?
- Am I being negative or controversial just for the sake of getting attention?
- Could something in this post be misconstrued?
- Have I checked my grammar and spelling?
- What’s my intent with this post?
- Does this post serve that intent?
- Does this post reflect my brand in a positive light?
- What will the headline be if this post goes viral – for better or worse?
- Am I comfortable with everyone I know seeing this post?
- Would I want my name associated with this post?
- If not, is there a way to make it anonymous?
- Is there someone in my life who might be hurt by this post?
- What if someone I don’t like sees this post – how would they interpret it?
- How will I feel about this post in 5 years? In 10 years? 20 years from now?
- Is this an emotional response to something that’s happening right now? Can I wait 24 hours to post about it?
- If someone takes a screenshot of this and sends it to me, would I be okay with that?
- Does it add anything of value to the conversation on social media – or am I just adding noise?
- Is this appropriate for work?
- Is this newsworthy?
- Is this helpful, informative, or just my opinion?
- Is the post-well-crafted or thoughtfully put together?
- What’s the larger context of the topic?
- Am I trying to start an argument or be helpful?
- Would I say this to someone’s face?
- Would I want someone to post something like this about me?
- What tone should my posts have?
- What platforms should I be using?
- What kind of call to action should I include?
- What kind of image do I want to project?
- Do I really want to hit “post” right now or can it wait?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important to think before you post?
Because your posts can have a significant impact on others and aren’t always positive or constructive. By thinking carefully about what you share, you can ensure that your words are thoughtful and productive, and not hurtful or harmful.
Not only do you need to consider the potential consequences of your posts, but also remember that social media is often public, which means that anything you share can potentially reach a large audience. Therefore, it’s important to be mindful of what you post so as not to hurt others or cause unnecessary harm.
Why should we have boundaries for sharing information on social media?
It’s important to maintain privacy and security when using these platforms, as they often become targets for online predators or hackers looking to steal sensitive personal data.
Sharing too much information on social media can have negative consequences on our professional or school life. For example, if we post content that’s inappropriate or offensive, it can reflect poorly on us and damage our reputation.
To protect our privacy and preserve our personal and professional relationships, it’s important to set clear boundaries about what information we share on social media.
What are the dangers of oversharing on social media?
For one, oversharing often leaves users vulnerable to privacy and security risks such as identity theft or cyberbullying. In addition, oversharing can lead to negative consequences in offline life, such as damage to professional relationships or harm to one’s reputation.
It’s important to be aware of the potential risks associated with sharing too much online and to exercise caution and common sense when posting on social media platforms.
Conclusion
Questions like these are important to consider before you post anything on social media because once something is posted, you can’t take it back! We’ve all seen examples of people who have regretted something they’ve posted online – sometimes with serious real-life consequences. So the next time you want to share something on social media, make sure you ask yourself these questions first.
