Let’s be honest, we’ve all done stupid or annoying things on Facebook. I will be the first to admit that I have done many of these things (but I can also say that I have stopped making these kinds of posts). It seems that people have really let their Facebooking habits get worse over the years and will post just about anything. In this age, everything gets put on the internet but maybe people should think a little more before they post. Here at 15 bad habits I see on Facebook a lot.
1. Sharing too much information. Some things don’t belong on Facebook. I don’t need to know the messy details of your break up (or even worse, your divorce). Relationship problems should be between you and your person. Putting your relationship problems on Facebook is childish and won’t help your relationship. We also don’t need to know about you throwing up after drinking too much last night. Keep it classy, peeps.
2. Posting a dozen status updates within a day. I don’t need to know when you woke up, then what you ate for breakfast, then what you want to do this weekend, then how terrible your day at work is, etc. Save your play-by-play for one long post at the end of the day if you really must tell everyone every second of your day.
3. Posting multiple pictures from the same event throughout the event instead of one post at the end of the event. Same as the multiple statuses, we don’t need a play-by-play of your kid’s piano recital. Wait until the end of the event and post all your pictures in ONE post.
4. Unnecessary/graphic photos. There are a lot of these on Facebook, whether they’re from some big page or a friend’s account. Remember when that college basketball player broke his leg and his shinbone came through his skin? Yeah, I did not need to see that. There’s a reason they tried to avoid showing it on TV. No one wants to see gross things first thing in the morning or when eating dinner.
5. “One like = one prayer” and other like-seeking post. No. No amount of liking is going to fix the deformed, abused animal or impoverished child. Similar to the unnecessary/graphic photos, I don’t need to or want to see it. If you think that picture needs a prayer, try actually praying. Also, posts that say “if you don’t like this, you hate your mom.” I love my mom a lot but I will never like those kinds of posts because they’re so stupid.
6. Reposting/sharing pictures of the same thing. Make a Pinterest account and pin these things instead of blowing up your friends’ newsfeeds with things like shoes that no one except you cares about. We don’t go on Facebook to see 20 pictures of shoes you like. Facebook even has a save button for this reason.
7. Offensive posts. Sometimes it seems like people don't think about what they're about to post. Do you really need to use those words or say those things? Did you think that through before you posted that? You might think that saying “we had a lot of crazy homeless people in the waiting room last night” is perfectly fine, but a large part of the homeless population do suffer from some kind of mental illness and it is offensive to say that.
8. Only posting complaining statuses. I will be the first to admit that this used to be me; far too many of my middle and high school statuses were stupid complaints about things that didn’t matter. I know life isn’t always fun but if every single post is negative, people eventually stop reading them. Surely something good is happening in your life.
9. Attention-seeking posts. You know the kind. “Worst day ever” or “my life sucks” with no explanation so that people comment asking what’s wrong. Just strike up a conversation if you want to talk to someone. I refuse to acknowledge attention-seeking after all the time I spent trying to make sure people were ok when really they were just being dramatic (#sorrynotsorry).
10. Self-deprecating posts. This also goes with attention-seeking posts. If you don’t think you’re pretty posting “I’m so ugly” won’t change anything. If you don’t like something about yourself, go change it. I promise posting about it on Facebook won’t change anything.
11. Political and religious posts. They’re just fighting words a lot of the time. It takes more than a Facebook post to change someone’s mind about who they’re going to vote for or pray to. Let's be honest though - the election period is a good time to clean out your Facebook friends list.
12. Fake contests. Walt Disney World is not going to be raffling off six tickets on an unofficial Facebook page. Apple isn't giving away their newest iPhone or iWhatever either. Don’t even bother sharing these dumb posts. You know the saying "if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is"? That applies here.
13. Grammatical errors. Facebook has enabled a lovely edit button but proofreading is always a great option. If you’re old enough to have Facebook, you’re old enough to know the difference between there/they’re/their, two/too/to, you’re/your and where/were/we’re. I wish I was kidding about how often I see people mess these things up. These are elementary English skills.
14. Tagging me in inappropriate or irrelevant things. My mother and family are on Facebook. They don’t need to think I’m involved in stupid things that you found childishly funny. I don’t want my grandmother to ask me why I was tagged in a post about illegal or immature things that I don’t even take part in. Just screenshot it and text me if you think it's worth showing to me.
15. Sub-posting about people. Posting a status bashing someone without saying their name is so childish, especially if you’re 20+ years old and have kids. Is that what you want to teach your kids? Grow up and sort out your problems in private.