You would think by now we all know the general rules of what to post and what not to post on social networking sites like Facebook. But let us not forget that there is always someone getting on Facebook for the first time today and knows none of the rules. Or, you know, someone who is just stupid. But it's amazing to me when people break the rules of Facebook common sense. For instance, taking a picture of a big pile of cash and then posting it on your wall. I'm not making that up.
A 17-year-old girl was visiting her grandmother in Sydney, Australia, and helped granny count up her savings. So she snapped a picture of the cash and -- posted it to Facebook! Ey, ey, ey. My head gonna 'splode. I guess it's not too surprising that, seven hours later, at the girl's house (which was 75 miles away from granny), some burglars broke in looking for the pile of cash. The girl's mother, who was home (and didn't have the pile of cash), convinced the robbers that the girl no longer lived there. So they robbed the mom and took off.
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BUT! You're thinking. This girl must have had some baaaaad friends. MY friends are so nice and non-burglarish. Okay, fine. Maybe you know every single person on your list. And you know every single one of them inside and out. But let's just say one of these good friends happens to be looking at your picture of a pile of cash, and then walks to the fridge for a moment, and your good friend's bad, burglarish-type friend takes a peek at the page. Know what I'm sayin'? You just never know. So let's keep it safe.
Here's 6 common sense rules for Facebook:
Don't show off your expensive new purchases. I actually had to call a relative once and tell her this after she posted lots of pictures of her brand new enormous plasma screen television. Sigh.
Don't post pictures if you've got expensive stuff in the background. You. In your living room. Holding your cat. A Degas hanging on the wall behind you. Really?!
Don't let people know you're on vacation. I know you sooooo badly want to let everyone know you're in Paris or Bora Bora, but can't you do that once you get back?!
Ask friends not to tag you when you're out with them. This is one I have to do all of the time now. Please, guys, can we not let everyone know I'm not home? I live in New York, fahcrissakes!
Ask your friends if it's okay before tagging them with photos. I suspect this one will never catch on, but not all photos are flattering. And not everyone wants their list to know they were out guzzling margaritas until 2 a.m. Say, "Mind if I tag you?" before doing so.
Don't bitch about your job. Even if none of your coworkers or your boss is on your friends list, what if you ever need a new job? Don't let it get around that you're a job whiner.
What other common sense rules do you suggest?
Image via codemastersnake/ Flickr
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Comments 42
Don't brag about being pregnant. It's ok to announce it, but don't say something about it EVERY DAY! Some women can't conceive and it's heartbreaking to them. My cousin finally was able to concieve after 5 years of IVF... I know it broke her heart to see all her friends becoming pregnant when she couldn't. As for the photo thing, I know all the people in my friends with the exception of two(whom I know through another friend). However, I don't post nearly as much as I used to because quite frankly, what I do in my life is NONE of their business!
I bitch about my job on purpose. I would love it if they would fire me and put me out of my misery. They are trying to get me to quit, so they have done everything in their power, but I would rather get fired. I agree though with the other stuff, about posting that you are on vac and stuff.
I think the most common sense thing you can do with FB use, is to make your profile private, and don't friend people that you dont know. I know ALL of the people Im friends with personally, and people can be decieving, so you use a little more caution not to announce when you are out of town. Some of my personal rules, I dont use the check in feature, I dont post pics of my daughter in the tub (no matter how cute she is) and I dont discuss religion or politics. Keep things friendly, not too open or personal, and you should be fine. Some people really freak out about things.
Don't post about your relarionship problems!
Ill add one! You should NEVER post pictures of yourself with a bunch of guns! I knew a guy who did that and OMG, that was a lot of guns. He was in his early 20s, no way were all those guns his. He also had a guns and tons of cash picture too. All I can think is the cops are gunna loooove him!
You can set your privacy settings so that you can reveiw every single tag. so you can approve it
I don't see the problem with posting you are not home if you have it BLOCKED to the PUBLIC and only friends and close family are on there, because USUALLY you are out with them anyway!