Once It Is Social, It Is No Longer Private

Sometimes ago, I saw some wild pictures and videos of a certain Ilorin Hangout that went viral on social media. In the name of hanging out, people were hanging their future in a manner of speaking.

In a certain video, guys were popping balloons directly on ladies' behinds with their own privates provocatively and in a suggestive manner. Some of those videos were a few seconds long but the impact may be lifelong because the internet never forgets.

Your life should not be defined by a few seconds of irrationality or stupidity.
Once it's on social media, you can't claim it's your private life. That's what many don't understand. Many companies now conduct background checks and this includes a look through your social media

I know a Nigerian company that conducts background checks on an intended spouse and part of what they do is to go through the social media pages of the partner for a few years.

Be careful what you post and tweet. Be careful what you retweet. A retweet means you're in support. Ditto for likes. Be careful the videos you share. Be careful what you laugh at.

The other day, I had to block a guy on Twitter who poked fun at a picture of a veiled woman who just got her PhD from a Federal University. I pointed out that his joke was offensive and insensitive and the guy still went on.

Well, he earned the ignoble distinction of being the first person I blocked on Twitter. Don't slander people online or like they say 'call' people out. If you're in paid employment, you don't know if the person you're calling out is a friend to your boss.

The last time I submitted a US Visa application, I was asked to submit my social media handles. Your social media is your personal media. It encapsulates who you are: your thoughts, your voice, your person. Your social media is you. Your tweet is you.

Your tweet is a window to your mind. You may think social media  is make-belief but it will reinforce perception and perception is the new reality. You are what people think you are.

You can't tweet in support of Yahoo Yahoo boys and expect to be hired by a financial firm. You can't get drunk, capture it on social media and expect a serious minded company to hire you. Handle your emotions properly online

You don't have to say exactly what you think everytime. That's called self-control. Some things are just not worth sharing online. Know your boundaries. Be careful what you put as your dp. Your dp is often the first thing people see. What message does your display picture convey?

Please stop forming woke on social media. Before you post or share, think deeply about the following:

Will I be proud of this post in 5 years?

Does this represent my values?

Will this affect the kind of brand I want to project?

Will this affect my chances of securing an offer, a job opportunity or a prospective benefit? Or even getting a spouse?

If my parents were on my timeline, will they be proud of my posts?

Will my children be happy to see this in future?

Is this something I'll be proud of my employer seeing?

Are the pictures I'm sharing inappropriate or provocative?

Does this slander anyone?

Is this post well thought out?

Is this post offensive?

What do I have as my display picture? What does this represent?

Remember: if it's social, it's no longer private.

@threadreaderapp compile