Beech Tree News Network

Believe it or not, there are things you shouldn’t share on social media. I’m not trying to be the social media police.  Common sense and decency should come into effect, shouldn’t it? I understand the argument of “This is my account and I can do what I want”, but there is a line.  For instance, posting a pic of someone on the toilet crosses the line.  Actually, you can’t even see the line.  The line is a blur to you.  Ten extra points if you guess where that last line originated.
Social media sites like Facebook and Twitter are supposed to be about friends connecting with other friends that they don’t get to see often.  Even though you can post anything, it doesn’t mean you should post everything.  That’s why the majority of my Facebook posts are news stories and sports posts.  I don’t want to overshare.
One friend said “My thoughts-if you wouldn’t do it in front of your grandmother, don’t put it on social media”.  Another friend made mention that you know of a person’s every ache and pain.  Also, asking via social media if someone can take you somewhere because they have no money to repair a tire (or anything else, probably) on their car. 
Another friend shares my opinion that some people are just looking for attention.  Still, some go to most drastic, and often obscene, measures.  Yet another added that “people need a filter in their lives.  Being behind a screen where they don’t have to look people in the eye removes that filter”.  I wholeheartedly agree with that.  When he mentioned being behind a screen removing a filter, that really speaks to what I’ll call “computer muscles”. 
The bottom line here is this: please put some thought into what you share.  Ask yourself these questions before posting: 1) who sees this? The answer, of course, is everyone from your friends, your friends’ pals, boss and future bosses.  2) Does this have potential to haunt me in the present and future? If so, don’t post.  And finally, 3) Will this bring shame to family, friends, self? If the answer to any of these three is “yes”, you better not hit that “post” button. 

Hello.  My name is Andy Sullivan.  I received my bachelor’s degree in business from Mid-Continent University in June 2009.  I began writing for beechtree in July 2009.  I enjoy writing, photography, watching basketball and football, and playing guitar.  I also write a blog that encompasses sports and entertainment, called Sports and More, at http://andyuk79.tumblr.com If you have any comments, please leave them in the space below.  Thanks for reading!