Social media platforms have allowed us to follow the lives of our friends, families and colleagues. Media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, X and Facebook are some of the many ways media users share even the most private or tiny parts of their lives. On all kinds of media platforms, you can get news of marriage proposals, birthday posts, business promotions, and of course, any kind of drama you can get your hands on. Not surprisingly, on at least one of these platforms, you may have seen users sharing too much about themselves.

Being on these media platforms certainly filled me with a sense of entertainment, but they left me wondering why I even had an account in the first place. As I mindlessly scroll through TikTok for what seems like hours, I suddenly become engrossed in the personal lives of hundreds of users who have no shame in sharing some of the most compelling moments of their lives. Trading your personal information for approval or recognition from strangers on the Internet is dangerous. Even the craziest things you share, like experiences with teachers, clients, family members, and old acquaintances, can catch up with you in time or in ways you don’t expect.

Over sharing on media platforms will slowly become our downfall. There are too many cases where personal hurts are out in the open for thousands, if not millions, of people around the world. While this is a way to relate to others who may also be in trying times, we must recognize that sharing every part of our personal and private moments is not necessary when creating content. We have somehow normalized the dumping of trauma on complete strangers, which has become a very unhealthy coping mechanism for millions of users. There’s a huge difference between knowing what you ate one day and having the most life-changing experience with your ex.

People on the internet don’t have the right to know everything about you, even if they demand or demand your immediate attention. Users have become acclimated to sharing private moments in their lives, along with the millions of interactions between posters and commenters that quickly devolve into ill-timed questions or comments about a particular situation.

This is becoming a recurring problem that needs to stop. Allowing strangers into the most intimate parts of your life encourages them to push their boundaries with other people they can interact with. It’s worrying that some people you interact with once can impact some of the biggest decisions you can make in your life. We shouldn’t normalize asking strangers on the internet for advice because they don’t know you and don’t need to know your lived experiences. You’re not required to give that information to people, so don’t feel entitled to do it.

We must remember that some things should not be shared with your audience; if anything, these moments should be shared between you and a trusted family member, friend, or medical professional. Putting all your personal information on the internet can put you and your future in an awkward position, and it might not bounce back smoothly. Your digital footprint has an impact on how others will perceive you, so use your media platforms with caution and responsibility, as they can also affect how you live your daily life.