Top 10 Things You Should Avoid Sharing on Social Media

If you haven't been living under a rock since 2009, you’re probably aware that social networking websites have become the leading platform for interacting with others online. About 35% of adults on the internet now have profiles on at least one social media platform, and over half have more than one. Among internet users aged 18 to 24, three-quarters have an online presence [source: USA Today]. According to the Pew Research Center, 89% of these users engage with social media to stay connected with friends, 57% use it to make plans with friends, and 49% to meet new people.

Platforms like Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Friendster, Urban Chat, and Black Planet are just a few of the many websites linking people worldwide who are eager to share their experiences. However, just like in real life, oversharing can lead to unwanted consequences (TMI). It’s easy to get caught up in the social dynamics of platforms like Facebook, but be mindful of what you share because it could be exposed to anyone unless you set privacy restrictions. A Pew Research study found that 40% of users make their profiles publicly accessible, allowing anyone to view their information, while the remaining 60% restrict access to only family, friends, and colleagues. Sharing personal details with strangers can be risky, and certain information should definitely remain off-limits. In this article, we’ll cover the 10 things you should never share.

10: Private Conversations

On Facebook, users can send private messages or post notes, photos, or videos on another person's wall. While the wall is public, messages are strictly between the sender and receiver, much like an email. Personal and confidential matters should never be shared on your wall. You wouldn’t announce a private issue publicly with a megaphone, so the same rule applies on the internet. This falls under the somewhat gray area of social networking etiquette. While there's no formal guide for this, use your best judgment. If it’s something you wouldn't feel comfortable discussing in person with extended family, acquaintances, colleagues, or strangers, then it’s better not to share it on your Facebook wall.

9: Upcoming Events

Publicly sharing your social plans is generally not a great idea. Unless you're organizing a large event and inviting everyone you're connected with, doing so may lead to others feeling excluded. Additionally, there are potential security risks to consider. Imagine a situation where a jealous ex knows you're meeting someone new that evening. What’s stopping them from showing up, causing drama, or even becoming aggressive? Nothing at all. If you're organizing a gathering or night out with friends, send them a private 'e-invite' to keep it discreet. If you're thinking about an open invitation for a social event, remember that anyone with access to your profile will be able to see it.

8: Connecting Websites

With 51% of social network users engaging with more than one platform, there’s bound to be overlap, especially if your accounts are connected. You might share something harmless on Facebook, but if it’s linked to your LinkedIn profile, you could jeopardize your job. If you link your profiles, keep in mind that what you post on one platform could be visible on others. In 2009, a story emerged about an employee who lied on Facebook. The employee took sick leave for a weekend shift, but posted pictures from a party that same weekend on his Facebook. The employer quickly found out and fired him. So, linking your accounts means there's no clear boundary between your personal and professional lives.

7: Corporate Secrets

You might be eager to share your new promotion with the world, but if this news could benefit a competitor of your company, it's best to keep it to yourself. Confidential company matters, such as upcoming projects or expansion plans, should remain private. A report from Sophos, a cybersecurity firm, found that 63 percent of companies were concerned about the details their employees were posting on social media [source: ReadWriteWeb]. If you need to share this kind of information, be selective and opt for private emails. Some companies even go as far as banning employees from accessing sites like Facebook during work hours, with IT departments blocking these sites entirely to avoid distractions.

6: Photos of Your Kids

Social media platforms are often where people share family moments, but if you're part of the 40 percent who don't secure their profiles, your photos could be exposed to anyone. Sadly, there are many online predators who use social media to stalk their victims. If you post images of your family and include comments like, "my husband is out of town this weekend" or "Johnny is now old enough to stay home alone," you might be putting your children's safety in jeopardy. People tend to believe it won't happen to them—but it can. It's safest to only share these images with a small group of trusted friends and family.

5: Your Address and Phone Number

Think of this as a major security concern. When you share your home address and phone number on social media, you open the door to significant threats, including identity theft and home break-ins. If you publicly announce a vacation while your address is listed, you’re giving potential burglars a clear indication that your house is unoccupied. Meanwhile, identity thieves could intercept your mail and take advantage of your details to open fraudulent credit accounts. Even sharing your phone number online can be dangerous—people can use reverse lookup services to track down your home address just from the phone number.

4: Personal Finance Information

It might seem like common sense to keep details like your bank or stock investments private, but some people still reveal too much. With the economy struggling during the 2008/2009 recession, even a casual Facebook comment could expose more than intended about your financial situation. For example, imagine you're joining a discussion on the bank crisis and casually mention, "We don't need to worry because we bank with a teacher's credit union," or even, "We invested everything into blue chip stocks and plan to wait it out." If you're part of the 40 percent who leave your profile open, identity thieves can easily access this information—now they know your bank and investment details. What seems like an innocent post can give away a lot about your finances. It’s safer to keep that type of information off social media.

3: Your Password

This may seem like an obvious rule, but if it weren’t for instances of people sharing their passwords, Facebook wouldn't have to include it as the top warning on their list of things not to share. Even giving your password to a friend for a simple task like uploading vacation photos can lead to risks. For example, you might trust your boyfriend enough to let him log into your Facebook account to post photos, but a few months later, when things go south, you might find yourself with a compromised account. Now, not only is your profile at risk, but any other connected accounts or personal data are also vulnerable. The best approach is to keep your login details private, no matter the situation, so you can avoid unwanted problems later.

2: Password Hints

Most websites that house secure personal data ask you to create a password, but they also offer a password hint in case you forget. Typically, when you sign up for online banking or similar services, you're given a login and password and asked to select a security question for password recovery. Questions like, 'What was the name of your first pet?' or 'What is your mother’s maiden name?' seem harmless, but posting this kind of information on your Facebook status could provide identity thieves with the final clue to crack into your bank account. Always think twice before sharing any potentially sensitive details online.

1: Anything You Don't Want Shared

You can adjust all the privacy settings on your social networking profiles, but the reality is, once you post something, it could easily be viewed by others. Have you ever filled out one of those quirky Facebook polls or played a random app quiz? A study by the University of Virginia revealed that 90 percent of the top 150 Facebook apps accessed unnecessary personal data in order to work. So, when you opt in to see which sitcom character you resemble, the creators of that quiz now have your personal details. Once shared, this information can be passed along to others, and before you know it, someone you don’t know may have access to your private data. The best advice? 'When in doubt, leave it out.' Always remember that once you share something, it could potentially be leaked.