[Lifestyle] Never unfollow, gossip with caution, and always ask before you post – how to behave online

[BirSaNN]

Social media is bad. And awkward. And one of the easiest places to make an idiot of yourself. We all know it, and we all know why, but it exists and most people are on it one way or another because there’s something deeply and irreparably wrong with us.

So, given that millions of us are in this position, how can we avoid some of the endless pitfalls that come with presenting ourselves on social media? And how do we avoid embarrassment or falling out with friends, partners or employers? With the caveat that each generation uses social media differently (here’s to you over-50s, and your love of ending a message with an ellipsis, and to Gen Z’s obsession with the term “low-key”), here are some general dos and don’ts for online behaviour, corroborated by social media and etiquette experts.

Friendships
Gossip with caution
If you must, truly spicy gossip should be sent via voice note directly to one recipient, but is much better related in person. The same rule applies if you’re going to be rude about somebody. Everyone likes to be a little rude about somebody, just don’t make it easy for that somebody to catch you doing it. “It’s never a good idea to gossip about someone on social media or even by text,” says Diane Gottsman, an etiquette expert. “Anything you say can be shared and most probably will.” A screenshot is a powerful thing.

Never unfollow
If you don’t want to get annoyed by somebody online, mute them; don’t unfollow. It may seem obvious, but I know someone who unfollowed his sister’s wife because he found her annoying and didn’t realise she’d be able to see that he’d done that. Needlessly awkward.

Let things slide
No doubt you have friends who you love in person but whose social media presences you find cringey or annoying. I do, and I’m certain people who would drive me to hospital in labour are sick to the back teeth of the asinine crap I put on Instagram. This is all fine and normal: just don’t tell them. Let people be.

Don’t post other people’s dating profiles anywhere public, even if they’ve said something stupid
Be kind with big announcement posts
It’s easy to make a joke comment under someone’s engagement or pregnancy announcement. But even if you think it’s obviously tongue in cheek or they’ll get it, people are often anxious about these kind of breezy and celebratory posts, and you don’t want to be the doofus who writes “the kid’s got your massive forehead Callum mate” under a picture of an ultrasound.

Ask before you post
If you have pictures or videos of your friend evidently wasted or doing something embarrassing, ask before posting. Specifically, ask the day after, not while they’re still spread-eagled on the floor cry-singing Nothing Compares 2 U. “There is probably a culture in your friend community about how this is handled but, when in doubt, either ask or err on the side of caution,” advises Catherine Newman, an etiquette columnist for online magazine Real Simple.

link: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/apr/14/how-to-behave-online-expert-guide-avoid-making-an-ass-of-yourself-on-social-media