If you're a true-to-form millennial, you almost have to have multiple social media accounts. It's how we remain connected with the world around us and eliminate (but, actually foster) our "fear of missing out," or FOMO. But, the images we produce of ourselves are far different depending on the social media platform.
How exactly are you depicting yourself?
Facebook
You're a very polished individual. Everything you choose to post is meticulously combed over to ensure that nothing could paint you in an inappropriate fashion. Your parents and your parents' friends and your other family members go to your Facebook wall every once in a while to get new material to use when they brag about you. Your accomplishments are always front and center for that very reason.
Instagram
You're still polished but slightly less so. You make an active attempt to ensure that the photos you post aren't always of your weekend adventures. Perhaps, you throw an occasional landscape picture of your school on your account or a photo of your dog/cat or a photo of your family or a "TBT" to your adolescence. But, every once in a while, you post a picture of yourself that shows what you're really doing with your time during your "Saturday study sessions." What's in that solo cup you tried so hard to hide behind your friend's back?
Twitter
You have a little smudge of polish on your left cheek. Yes, you do post things that are acceptable and would be seen as acceptable by your elders; however, when you aren't tweeting/retweeting "dank memes," photos of cute puppies, or your favorite song lyrics/movie lines, you're posting things that you sure as hell wouldn't want your parents or any of your family members to see. So, why do you do it? Definitely because of self-expression.
Snapchat
What is polish? You rarely (if ever) snap anything pertaining to your late night study habits, unless it's during a study break and you're playing garbage can basketball in the middle of the hallway. Snapchat sees everything--where you go on the weekends, what you do on the weekends, who you're with on the weekends (noticing a trend here?). Nothing is off limits.
But, when it's all said and done, any self-respecting individual who is trying to get a respectable job in the future should treat all of their social media accounts the same way as their Facebook. I know what you're thinking; that's so boring. But, so is working a repetitive and unfulfilling job somewhere because you couldn't get a job where you wanted. Anything you post on the Internet (note: this is not limited to the sites listed in this article) stays there despite your best attempts to delete any remnants of what you said or did.
Be smarter. Think before you post.
