Some days it’s like my laptop is literally glued to my lap. We are inseparable companions since everything I want to see, do or find seems do-able online. I can do my banking, plan and book my next holiday, find an awesome recipe for dinner to use with the groceries I ordered online and had delivered to my door. Why bother leaving my house? (just kidding)
If you know me at all, you also know that I spend a fair amount of time on Social Media. While I’m a big fan of Twitter and much less engaged on Facebook (with a little Instagram, G+, Foursquare and LinkedIn thrown in for good measure), I’m still left wondering what happened to mystery? What happened to thinking before you speak? What happened that made people think most other people care what they had for lunch, the color of the shirt they almost bought or the upset stomach they had after an evening of binge drinking? Even worse, bragging, political rants and constant whining really start to get me down. Guess I just have to accept it: Goodbye mystery; Hello Social Media (aka Oversharers Not-So-Anonymous).
[Tweet “Goodbye mystery; Hello Social Media (aka Oversharers Not-So-Anonymous).”]
What still shocks me is that some people really get into the nitty-gritty of their lives. Some brag, some boast, some cry, some inspire, some are hysterical and others just make me yawn.
I’m starting to wonder:
- Am I old school because when I’m feeling lonely I pick up the phone and call someone I love?
- Am I old school because I’d rather have a glass of wine with a friend and talk about my frustration with my lying boss or jealous colleague than drag it out on Facebook with a graphic to match?
- Am I old school because I’m super aware that prospective clients and employers do look at Social Media sites to better understand candidates and consultants?
Every time you or I post anything, or decide to save our passwords on various sites because it’s easier than simply logging in and out each time, we’re leaving a breadcrumb. Each of those breadcrumbs we’re dropping are not a big deal if someone’s just looking at a single crumb. However, if that same someone is willing to pick them all up and put the puzzle together, we should never doubt that they can re-create a pretty real slice of a stranger’s life; ours.
I’m not suggesting that we close ourselves off from the very real connection that Social Media brings. I’ve met amazing men and women doing inspiring work from around the world that have transformed from a simple profile picture into real friends and collaborators. It’s not only Social Media that leaves our trail but also Google, TripAdvisor, Amazon and probably a million others.
Break the Frame Action:
Today, just think about it:
- Hate your boss?
- Think your colleague’s breath smells?
- Your girlfriend really does look fat in those jeans?
Think about keeping it to yourself or be prepared for what happens when your breadcrumb gets picked up – because it will.
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There was a phenomenal 60 Minutes segment this past weekend on your topic. The amount of data brokerage going on is huge! Any website you go to, there are “bots” there that captures what you do there…what did you look at, what info did you give, what I’m typing here….the data brokers buy and sell that information. It really is frightening. For me, I’m amazed by the person who tells me how bad a charity is at getting money to the organization’s purpose, then 2 posts later, asks for money for that charity (continuously – man, did you think we weren’t reading the venting you were doing!) Good and timely topic Alli. Thank you.
Sounds like an episode I’d like to watch! Data brokerage… yikes.
Equally yikes is the person you describe affiliated with the charity. I see that a lot. Complaining and promoting as if posts aren’t public. I really don’t get it. I used to manage the social media accounts for my organization and trained our corporate recruiters on how to leverage twitter. Some of them did a great job and others spent more time putting out their personal “laundry” that by the time they wanted to promote a position I don’t know who’d want to work for the organization.
As always, thank you! Your comment and insights add so much.
Allie,
Great way to frame this post! I just finished putting together a workbook for my students on how to “clean up” their past online. Naturally, you can’t really clean it up, the best you can do is bury deeply in search results. What your post points out is something bigger than just reputation management–it speaks to reputation protection.
The video itself should scare the heck out of all of us!
Jackie, You put it so succinctly – I really am talking about reputation protection. Proactively thinking about what we’re putting out into the world electronically that you can bury but cannot really erase. How interesting that you help your students to do that. I think it’s critical that people understand that they can always start today… if they had an online style that was hurting their future brand and reputation to follow your counsel and moving forward think before they post.
When I watched the video it was definitely a “gasp” moment for me!
Thank you so much for your comment and sharing your perspective and experience!!
Brilliant video … and also a brilliant article, Alli – yes, we need to be so mindful of the trail of breadcrumbs we leave in our wake, and it’s something we really need to emphasise the importance of with our children!
Wasn’t that a shocking video, Callie? I recognize that it has had millions of views but it was definitely new to me. I totally hear you on the counsel we give our children too! Growing up in such an electronically connected world needs intentional thought and action.
Thanks so much!
Great article…you said what I’ve been thinking for quite some time: why do so many people feel the need to take all their affairs public?
Social Media started it but it has been quickly followed up with reality TV shows that truly insulting to everyone…but it’s like the emperor with no clothes: no one will actually come out and say it!
Thanks for starting the discussion!
Don’t get me started on reality TV! People watch them because they say they’re fascinated by the train wrecks. Really?? I think it’s sad. Fighting and backstabbing, angry and manipulative… definitely not who I want to emulate! When we respect ourselves, we respect other people’s privacy too. Not everyone want to let it all hang out and I wonder how many people hit send or post and then are immediately hit with a wave of regret.
Works for me: Think first, post later.
Thanks for bringing your thoughts to the conversation, LaRae!
We do live in a very scary world on social media. I have always been overly cautious about what is truthful and what is purely a mask. It is not always so easy to differentiate.
The millennials have a need to share, while other generations have a need to keep things private. I worry that later when the millennials grow up and what more privacy that it will be too late. They will regret how they overly shared and exposed of themselves.
Great post, Allli that really got me thinking about exposure online. Also loved the video-very powerful!
There is definitely a generational divide with how much personal information people choose to broadcast to the world. Interesting that you suggest that as Millennials age, they too may want more privacy but by then it will be too late. I wonder how that will play out and we’ll all get to see over time.
Thanks for your provocative comment, Terri!