A new survey from Intel reports that nine out of 10 U.S. adults believe that people divulge too much information about themselves online, and 88% wish people "thought more about how others will perceive them when sharing information online." As social media becomes increasingly popular, we become increasingly accustomed to living our lives in public and revealing even the most intimate details of our lives online.
The question is: where do we draw the line? What is an appropriate amount of information to share, and what topples into TMI territory? For the answer, YourTango turned[*1] to Anna Post, the great-great-granddaughter of the late, great advice goddess, Emily Post. Her ten golden rules for using social media are:
- Be authentic and genuine. Who you are in real life should be who you are online. Don't waste time pretending to be someone you're not.
- Keep it neutral. Many people choose not to associate with people online when they hold dissenting views on issues. For the broadest possible appeal, keep your language neutral online and save the statements for venues in which they are better suited.
- Be consistent across social media. It's ok to separate some things - your professional life on LinkedIn and your personal life on Facebook, for example - but your online persona should always be somewhat consistent. Trust issues are bound to ensue if you sound like different people in different places.
- Keep online dating emails to a minimum. The point of online dating is to go on dates, not to meet penpals. Exchange 2-5 emails, Post suggests, then meet up in person.
- Look for common interests. Play up your best features in early messages to potential dates, without focusing too much on physical appearance. Look for connections that are positive and that lend themselves to activities that can be done together.
- No sexting. Anna says: "Just don't."
- First date? Put away your phone. A first date is about connecting with the person you're there with, not connecting with your smartphone.
- Wait to friend each other on Facebook. Don't friend someone until after you're dating, and discuss the decision to friend each other before actually doing it. "If you feel too awkward to talk about it, that's not a good sign," Post says.
- Ask before tagging each other on Facebook. Don't post photos that imply you're in a relationship unless you're 100% sure you're in a relationship. It's that simple.
- Ask a friend. When in doubt about how you're presenting yourself online, ask a friend. Consulting a friend is like looking in a digital mirror, and it can open your eyes to things you otherwise wouldn't see.