Minnesota, USA -June 10, 2011 - In as amusing as it is to hear of 'big-name' people slipping up on social networks, it causes us to wonder what information we are more comfortable sending out that we would not typically say or do in face-to-face contact. Perhaps the slip-ups that we are seeing hitting the front pages of newspapers are not as 'unusual' as we make them to be; it is time to think of our social networking lives separate from our everyday lives. Are we just too comfortable with giving out information on social networks that we would otherwise be too shy or hesitant to do on a regular day out with a friend
Situation #1 Bad Break-up details
Everyone is familiar with the typical 'status changes' that typically follow with many responses from friends. Well, what happens when someone actually leaks out the details right after the post so that there are no longer any questions Let's say that there was a friend who was engaged to a soldier currently stationed over in the Middle East; however, she discovered that the soldier had a change of heart. By change of heart, it means that he decided that he will never marry or have children like he said he wanted to have with her.
In as much as we naturally feel sympathy for her situation, we cannot get ourselves to respond to this with words. It was not only the situation but the way that it was readily out there for all her friends to see. Years ago, these details would have only been told to the closest of friends who would not leak it out to anyone.
Situation #2 Divorce Proceedings and Struggles
The situation of divorce is always sad even without knowing any of the details or moment-to-moment feelings that the couple is experiencing. As we can all imagine people can get pretty heated over moments like these; we tend to say a lot of things in anger that we would typically not in any other situation. For instance, we would not tell the typical person that our 'to-be-ex-wife is a -insert curse word here -'and that 'she will never get custody of the kids because she is a -insert curse word here -'. But this is the type of information that seems to keep popping up on social networks.
Would you fall into this situation in 'the moment' or could you step back and think of what you are willing to reveal to your friends/coworkers/acquaintances
Situation #3 Intimate Health details
Obviously everyone wants to know when someone's health is so poor that he or she may die. Yet, now we are freely giving out this information from the first cough to some of the most peculiar symptoms or problems. Although sometimes I can also reveal information like this when I find something to be unusual, I also understand that there are some things that should be left out of social networking sites. In as normal as some situations are like pregnancy or infections or diseases, it may be a little too much to hear about nearly every detail; I do not think people want to get that up close and personal even if they love you dearly.
Situation #4 Risky Behaviors
Obviously some people suffer from the 'bad girl/boy' syndrome, so they are more likely to post the craziest of things; however, are we as the 'normal' group becoming more opt to revealing similar information after seeing this other crazy information revealed by others For instance, let's say that you have a relative or coworker who loves the 'bad boy' image, so he actually posted a mug shot as his profile picture. How are we supposed to respond to this In person I am sure that this person would reveal that he went to jail, but would he actually rip a photo out of his pocket to prove it
Of course this is not the only risky behaviors that are shown on social networks; there are others like illegal drug use, promiscuous behaviors, and much more. We are actually seeing this information voluntarily coming from people. Are you also likely to do the same or are you doing the same right now
