I’ve always been conscious about what I post on social media. Maybe that stems from having parents in Education where you hear about different social media scandals, but I always tried to post things that I would enjoy looking back on later. So here are a few tips that I think people should follow when posting something on their favorite social media site.

Share your opinions wisely

It is perfectly fine to share and voice your opinions. Why else would we have them other than to share them with others. However, there is no reason to be rude or inconsiderate of other people’s feelings when going to social media. Take into consideration how you are presenting your argument. If you want others to feel like it is a valid point, offending and berating the other side only makes you less credible and turns the other side against your views even more.

If you think a picture or post will affect your future job opportunities…don’t post it

People from 10 to 50 could use this tip. If it reflects badly on you or your morals, keep it to yourself. Once something is put out there, anyone can see and find it. Also, just because you delete something does not mean that someone else hasn’t taken advantage and kept it for themselves. Multiple times throughout high school I saw students face consequences because they chose to post something online and the wrong person found it and turned them in.

Make it positive

In 10 years when you’re looking back on your different social media accounts, do you really want to see that you were a jerk or that all you posted was a status update about how you went through the drive through at McDonalds? I don’t think so. Make it interesting and full of memories you want to look back on and reminisce.

If you wouldn’t say it to someone’s face don’t say it over social media

It can be so much easier to type something and hit send rather than tell someone something face to face, but that can cause more harm than good. Intent can be lost though text and people can easily misinterpret something. Good or bad, if you wouldn’t say something to someone in person its better left unsaid. I’ve had personal experience with myself and others reading into something because it was said over social media. In my experiences, there was no malice intended, but they still did not end well. I hate to imagine what would happen if the goal was to offend. Cyberbullying has become even easier and more common as social media has spread.

Common sense is key

The easiest way to stay safe and enjoy social media to its fullest is to just exercise a bit of common sense. Of you don’t think you should post something, then don’t post it. If you think people would really enjoy seeing something, post it and see if you were right. If you start losing friends or followers, maybe you should evaluate what your posting or who you are letting follow you in the first place.