Oversharing on social media significantly affects one’s privacy. Of course, it depends on what kind of data you share, but if you publish too much or something that must be kept private, such as your Social Security number, passport details, or location (some people see nothing wrong with that), the aftermath will be serious.
I bet we all have that friend who doesn’t think twice before announcing something on social media, and location is usually one of those things. The second they step foot somewhere in another state or country, they think it’s their duty to let their followers know about this.
The thing is, oversharing, just like any other problem in life, has a reason. Let’s take a look at some of the most common ones.
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Why Do People Overshare in the First Place?
Ashley Varner, a life coach and author, states that the action of oversharing stems from emotions that come from our thoughts. Everyone has their own reasons for sharing too much online, but some reasons are more common than others.
Validation is what makes individuals spill too much online. Some may even realize that it might not be good but do it anyway just to get approval or likes from their followers. They’re scared that if they don’t post something attention-grabbing, they won’t get the reaction they need, thus creating a cycle of oversharing that will be hard to stop.
Those who don’t have much real-life interaction tend to overshare, too. It’s quite understandable because everyone needs human connection, but sometimes, it may come at a cost. Let’s say you feel lonely at the cafe and post a story to let others know you’re there. You think, “What if someone from my followers is also here or just somewhere nearby?” And they may be. They may have positive intentions, which can help you make friends or just find someone to talk to. But what their intentions aren’t well-meaning?
Fear of missing out, or FOMO, is another factor why people reveal something they shouldn’t. When you see others live your dream life that you for some reason can’t keep up with, oversharing seems like the only option to let others know you’re not behind in life.
Dangers of Location-Sharing on Social Networks
Location-sharing on social media is one of the things that people see nothing wrong with. In reality, especially if combined with other pieces of data, it can pose serious security risks.
One of them is the possibility of stalking and harassment. If you regularly share your real-time location with your followers, stalkers and other malicious individuals may use it to their advantage. They can easily find you and follow you home or, even worse, harm you in physical ways. This is especially dangerous to share your location in high-crime areas or countries where local social media users regularly track tagged locations, such as Turkey and India.
If you’re on vacation in another state or country and previously shared your home location on, let’s say, Instagram, burglars can break into your house while you’re away. It’ll be sad to later realize that you were the one who gave them this information. Unintentionally, of course, but would it matter after your house is robbed?
Domestic violence survivors are those who especially should be careful about what they divulge on social networks. Some abusers may do all it takes to find their victims, and through location-sharing, the latter make it much easier for the former. Privacy and safety and the main priorities of domestic violence survivors. So, if you were abused by your partner in the past, carefully consider whether it’s worth divulging your location.
How to Protect Your Location Privacy
The thing is, you don’t have to tag your location on social media for others to track you down. If you just turn on location services on your phone or have automatic geotagging turned on in your camera, it won’t take much time for tech-savvy individuals to see where you are. So, make sure to check and turn off location settings on your phone and social platforms you’re registered on.
And, of course, don’t share your location manually. Even the background can give away where you are, especially if it’s a popular tourist destination. It’s a good idea to post photos from such places after you get home for safety concerns.
All this may seem too much. After all, some people think, “But who would need to track me down? I’m not a celebrity.” Well, the reality is different. You don’t have to be a famous person for a stalker to think that you’re worth their attention. So, it’s a good practice to avoid sharing your location on social networking sites, no matter how tempting it is.
