With the non-stop ads and peer pressure, it feels like more than ever you need a presence on social media to fit in.
I, however, find that constant pressure to be flawed. I have accounts on most social media platforms, though I choose to use them privately and post rarely.
Employers are constantly looking for how their future employees may act at work, and having a public social media presence is a way to let them know the real you. What I mean by the real you is your unprofessional, human self. Employers are going to look at the pictures of you on spring break, and, depending on which ones you post, they might not consider you for the position.
I also choose to keep my accounts private for security reasons. While I don’t post very often, the photos I do post usually have information about where I live or where I am currently located. If strangers can pinpoint where I live and know I’m not at home, this information allows me to become an easy target for home invasions or robberies.
While most people don’t, I choose to keep my posts minimal on social media. I think that this is an important aspect of having social media. I want to live in the moment I’m in and not worry about snapping the perfect photo for a post. Plus, the people I care about seeing the post are usually there with me. I don’t think posting should be a competition for who has the most awesome vacation. Instead, it should be used on those special occasions you want to share with people you know.
The pressure and need to fit in can weigh on someone to create a public image of themselves. However, I find that it’s easier to keep yourself private when online. If you step back and think about it, keeping your accounts private can save you from some embarrassing moments in the future.