Hi friends! Happy Friday. I don't know whether or not I'm going to get out a Freaky Friday Files this week (but there are plenty for you to catch up on "here" if you've missed any. It's currently 11:37 am and I have A LOT to do today. I might get to it, I might not (I haven't even showered today but I did take Benji for over an hour's walk so at least that's one thing ticked off my to do list). Usually I write my FFF in advance but this week I honestly haven't had time. Anyway, I thought you'd enjoy this blog post nonethelss. nonetheless and I do want quality over quantity.
Oh my gosh, how have I not made more social media blog posts? I literally rant on about having a masters degree in social media ALL the time (well, sociology, but my topic was on social media - you get the point).
Social media is a digital realm where most of us share our lives, connect with friends and family, and scroll through endless cat (or dog) videos. But lurking beneath the surface of likes, comments, and retweets are the unspoken rules of social media etiquette. These unwritten norms govern our online behaviour, and whether we realise it or not, we all break them from time to time.
Let’s dive into the amusing world of social media faux pas and see if you recognise any of these infractions in your own digital habits.
The Over Poster - we definitely ALL have that one friend who treats Facebook like their personal diary (not looking at myself LOL - although that's kinda why I have a blog). The Over Poster updates their status multiple times a day, tells us every single detail about their lives - both good and bad, and the worst one of all, shares every single meal they eat (not just a few). While sharing is caring, there’s a fine line between keeping friends informed and overwhelming their feeds. Remember, folks, less is often more!
The Serial Liker - Liking posts is great—it’s a quick and easy way to show support. But then there’s the serial liker, who likes every single post, photo, and comment you make. It’s as if they’ve set up camp on your profile page. While it’s nice to feel loved, even a good thing can be overdone (and these are usually those who get shadowbanned, so be careful folks!)
The Cryptic Poster - We all know the type: they post vague, mysterious updates like “I can’t believe this happened...” or “Why do I even try?” These cryptic posts are fishing for attention and concern, prompting a flurry of comments asking, “What happened?” If you need support, it’s okay to ask for it directly—no need for the drama.
The Hashtag Abuser - #Hashtags are #great for #categorising and #finding #content, but #somepeople #overdo it. #PleaseStop. While hashtags can increase visibility, using too many can make your posts look cluttered and desperate (dw, I've been there too). A few well-chosen hashtags are far more effective AND even lately with IG reels, TikToks, and YT shorts, hashtags are slowly becoming more and more irrelevant. Like some of my videos do better with less hashtags and sometimes even none, like what?
The Foodie Photographer - We get it, your avocado toast looks amazing (and I'm a real sucker for this one). But do we need to see every meal you eat? Food photos can be fun, but there’s a limit. Your followers don’t need a play-by-play of your culinary adventures and this can be problematic because of people with EDs (like triggering). I love a good food photo if your meal looks pretty or you're out for brunch or dinner but idk if I could share every single thing I eat in a day (bc so many snacks).
The TMI Sharer - Certain matters are best kept to oneself or at the very least not shared online. There is no necessity for us to be informed about the personal specifics of your recent medical check-up or romantic issues. Sharing excessively can lead to discomfort for others and may have negative consequences (and yep, I have been guilty of this for sure). Sometimes oversharing is okay and other times it's not.
The Neglector - Conversely, some individuals choose not to engage at all. They quietly browse their feeds without liking, commenting, or interacting. Social media is designed for social interaction, so feel free to express some appreciation from time to time. If you wanna learn more about social media lurkers, "here's" a really great article.
The Meme Spammer - I love memes and I love receiving memes but sometimes, there are too many memes. Memes are fun and can be a great way to share a laugh, but there’s such a thing as too much of a good thing. Flooding your followers’ feeds with an endless stream of memes can get old fast. Balance is key. Throw in something spicy to throw off the scent every once in a while.
The Tagger Extraordinaire - Tagging friends in posts and photos can serve as a wonderful means of sharing memories. However, it can become bothersome when done excessively, particularly in irrelevant posts or posts that they may not want online. It's important to be considerate of your friends' boundaries and tag them thoughtfully (and maybe, just maybe, ask for consent before you post that really awks pic of someone).
The Grammar Police - Correcting someone’s grammar in a public forum can come off as pedantic and rude. Unless it’s a professional setting or the error drastically changes the meaning, it’s usually best to let minor mistakes slide. We’re all human, after all (and I make grammar mistakes all the time, usually I'll go back and proofread later on but sometimes we miss). Hehe. Although, if you know about the misspelling for rage bait, then that's something else entirely. If you want to check out my blog post about rage bait, check "here".
The Comment Hijacker - When you share a picture from your holiday and receive a comment from a friend saying, "Looks fantastic!" it's great. However, it's not appropriate for another friend to immediately shift the focus by talking about their own holiday. It's important to keep the comments related to the original post and avoid hijacking the conversation. Sidenote, I also hate when this happens IRL (and it happens to me a lot - maybe I'm just not that interesting LOL).
The Political Debator - We all have our opinions, but social media isn’t always the best place for heated political debates. These discussions can quickly escalate and alienate friends. If you must engage, do so respectfully and be prepared for differing viewpoints (and also be respectful, it's okay to have different opinions - we all don't have to agree on everything).
The Bragger - Celebrating achievements is great, but constant bragging can come off as boastful and insincere. Share your successes with humility and gratitude, not as a way to one-up your friends (gah, I hope I'm not a bragger).
The Stalker - oh no, this one is 100% me. I actually think I'd make a really good Private Investigator or Detective because of how well I can get to the bottom of something. If something is awry, or you're lying to me, I will catch you. We’re all a little curious about what our exes or old classmates are up to, but constantly checking someone’s profile without engaging is just creepy. Remember, social media should foster connections, not fuel unhealthy obsessions. Get out, Joe (You TV show reference).
The Unfiltered Ranters - Ranting about your bad day or frustrating experience can be cathartic, but doing it all the time can turn your profile into a negative space. Balance your rants with positive content to keep your followers engaged and uplifted. I personally think that a bit of both to maintain realness and authenticity.
Alright, listen up, social media aficionados! Picture this: social media is like a magical wand for connecting and chatting with others. But hey, let's not forget about those sneaky unwritten rules lurking in the digital shadows. By keeping these in mind, we can sprinkle some positivity and fun into our online adventures. So, before you dive into the social media jungle again, pause for a second and think about your digital manners. And hey, always remember, we're all sailing in the same boat, one meme at a time! 🚀📱
Hope you enjoyed this silly post! See you soon.
Ash x
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