Think Before You Tweet.

Overshare: when too much information is given about any one (usually personal, often embarrassing) subject matter.

In the world of social media, it is all too easy to share personal information with the world. It is also incredibly easy to forget the amount of people that have access to this information. When my Twitter profile was locked the last couple of years, I would tweet with reckless abandon. I didn’t have many followers and I had a good idea of who would be seeing these tweets. People weren’t able to retweet me and all I had to do was click on the tiny trashcan logo to make a tweet disappear forever. As my following grew, so did my realization that the internet is permanent, no matter how many times I hit delete, the information is out there. It is easy to take a screen shot on your iPhone and text all of your friends with “Oh my god, can you believe she said that?” Through mistakes and awkward moments in the past year (anyone remember the bench outside of Clarendon Grill moment?), I have learned that certain things need to remain private.

It seems that no one else got that fucking memo. Every time I scroll through Twitter, especially between the hours of midnight and 5am before people wake up and delete their drunk tweets, I am learning far more than I’d ever like to know about people. From confessions of drunken mishaps to sexual promiscuity, people are letting it all hang out, literally and figuratively.

Things I don’t want to hear about:

Your period or any cramps/PMS issues related to your period. Keep all of that information to yourself, don’t even tell me in person, it is not something I want to hear about.

Personal information about family issues. Fights with your parents, medical issues among your family, divorce, drama…you aren’t a Kardashian, your family problems should remain private. Show some respect, don’t broadcast it to the world.

Bizarre health issues, such as a weird rash, hemorrhoids, STD, etc. I once got bit by a poisonous spider and while I did check in at urgent care on Foursquare, I didn’t tweet the gnarly picture that I texted to my best friends because it was disgusting and I didn’t want to creep out potential dates.

How terrible your dating life is and how you will never find someone. If I am scrolling through Twitter and see tweet after tweet about how lonely you are and how people just don’t like you, I’m probably not going to want to date you either. Negativity breeds more negativity.

Illegal activities. From drug use to binge drinking in public, putting this information online is a horrible idea. Not only will people view you differently, but so will your boss should he/she stumble upon your Twitter or Facebook account.

Live-tweeting your relationship. “My boyfriend just bought a new shirt!” “My boyfriend is cooking me dinner.” “My boyfriend snores!” “My boyfriend is so funny.” “My boyfriend has a crooked penis!” “Aww my boyfriend is my boyfriend.” WE FUCKING GET IT, YOU HAVE A BOYFRIEND AND YOU ARE REALLY SURPRISED AND EXCITED BY THIS.

Details about your sex life, right down to preferred positions and how many people you’ve slept with. So you are drunk and horny and just want someone to lay on top of your for three to five minutes, fine. Hit on someone in person or at least do it via DM on Twitter. The new #slutproblems hashtag I’ve seen floating around gives me second hand embarrassment. People aren’t impressed by how easily you let people into your bed, it’s called being easy for a reason.

Bad hair/body/face days especially when combined with a gorgeous photo. This one doesn’t bother me that much and I won’t react with more than an eye roll. I have heard others complain, but I actually find it hilarious when someone says “UGH! I’m so hungover. I hope I don’t look as bad I feel.” combined with something like this:

Financial problems. This goes for both being broke and having an abundance of money. Yes, I’ve seen tweets about both. It is simply no one else’s business how much money you have in your bank account. Telling everyone how desperately you need money just makes others uncomfortable. Bragging about disposable income is not attractive either. Just keep it between you and Bank of Georgetown.

These are just suggestions. In reality, your Twitter and Facebook accounts are your place to express yourself and present your life in a way that you want others to see. If I don’t like the things you say or do, I can unfollow you. This is just a reminder to take a moment and look at the image you’re portraying. Remember that what you put on the internet is there forever and can easily come back to haunt you. Practice safe social media.

- Suzie Robb
@suzierobb