According to Meriam-Webster, social media can be defined as “forms of electronic communication through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content (as videos).”

With the advances in technology over the last ten years, companies, entertainers and professionals alike have used social media to stay relevant to an ever-evolving society. This has been most apparent in the entertainment industry. Artists, actors, comedians and the like heavily rely on social media followings to promote their endeavors as well as gain a large fan base through their internet personality and presence. However, where should you draw the line? Is there such thing as “oversharing,” and how can it affect one’s career?

With all of the social media scandals we see on a daily basis, you would assume that these celebrities and their public relations teams believe there is no line! Celebrities get caught up bickering in their comments, cheating in their DMs, and exposing others doing rude and lewd acts. Now, of course, no one is completely immune to bad press. However, someone with status should be cognizant that they're one tweet, text, post or snapchat away from a scandal. Even moguls such as Beyoncé have been exposed to “media scandals" (i.e. the elevator incident), but the real test here is the level of response you give.

And what is the best response you say? NO RESPONSE!

These entertainers are still people, and they deal with everyday issues like we do. They are not entitled to explain their actions, motives, and behavior to anyone if it doesn’t directly affect another party. However, many celebrities get on social media giving emotional, inflammatory responses in the heat of the moment that tarnish their image and career. If artist could simply just follow the archetype of moguls such as Beyoncé or Oprah, and let their talent speak for itself with limited social media presence, they could leave a positive legacy as such.

Now, we all might not be able to admit this, but the negative press concerning celebrities can definitely "turn you off” and make you not want to support them anymore. For instance, I, for one, no longer support Chris Brown like I used to due to his domestic abuse scandal as well as his arrogant rants and tirades on social media. I say that with regret because he is an undoubtedly great artist and performer! However, his personal actions exposed on social media has tarnished his image and legacy.

To fully understand the full impact of social media, we must first look at the timeline (no pun intended). The celebrities of the pre-social media era weren’t subjected to exposure of their personal lives to the likes of TMZ, The Shade Room, Media Take Out, or any of the entertainment blogs. Plenty of your parent’s faves of the '70s, '80s, and '90s were undoubtedly snorting large amounts of coke, abusing their spouses and not paying child support. They didn’t have disgruntled fans, scorned lovers or family members leaking their personal information to the press for a check at the same magnitude. In turn, their status wasn’t as affected by their poor personal decisions. Now, we are seeing that even celebrities of that era aren’t exempt from social media exposure. A prime example is Bill Cosby. Social media influence gave rape victims the platform to shed light on their tragedies and expose the world to the real Bill Cosby.

The retweets and memes generated surrounding situations like these create widespread rhetoric that’s so crippling to the celebrity’s career and image. Although he led a long standing image as “America’s sit-com dad," his legacy is forever tainted by rape allegations. He lost support from all networks, and his show was pulled off the air.

So what’s the key to staying “lowkey?” Well, the solution is quite simple. If you don’t want people to your personal life, don’t tell them! Entertainers of this age need to be able to separate their personal life from their profession. As a professional, let your work be speak for itself and don’t let your image be tarnished. To be even more specific:

1. Don’t succumb to bickering on social sites

2. Don’t explain your personal decisions to the public because no answer you give will be satisfactory. There will always be people to question your motives.

3. Most importantly, have anyone you’re involved with (family, friends, lovers) sign Non-Disclosure agreements to keep them from releasing personal information under any circumstance.

If celebrities and their PR teams could follow these simple steps, they could avoid a lot of bad press, scandals, and explaining their every move. Despite their status, these people live everyday lives and experience everyday struggles just like we do. They deserve their privacy outside of their profession!