I’m a millennial, I live, breathe and sleep social media. I love the fact I can see what my favorite celebrities do in their spare time. And as much as I hate seeing what all my friends are doing without me, I love being able to know what’s going on in their lives. But with social media expanding, so is the interests in other demographics, which means my family members are joining the bandwagon.
I have no problem if my cousins want me on social media, or even certain older family members, but there is a thing called “boundaries”, and that’s what they need to learn. Here is why I avoid having some family members on social media.
“Who’s the cutie who commented _____ on Instagram?”
Back in the day it we used to get teased by hearing, “Who was that chasing you around the park after school today?”. Now it’s turned into asking who every person who ever commented on a picture you posted is. It’s normal to be curious, heck, I do it with my own cousins when I see a girl commenting a little sexy something on a post. But for the love of the Lord, when my best friend says “SLAY BABY SLAY”, it doesn’t mean she’s hitting on me.
The Comments Made In Front of the Entire Dinner Table
We’ve all been there. It’s Thanksgiving, everyone is seated in their usual spots, the food has made its way around the table and the painful small talk has begun. All of a sudden your uncle asks you what you were doing dancing on a bar like you’re Miley Cyrus. Your mother looks over at you and the inner Satan in her comes out, while your father looks like he’s going to stab you with disappointment. Instead of your relatives playing it cool, they literally throw you over the fire and roast you in front of everyone. Not cool.
The Shady Remarks About Inappropriate Pictures
I’ll be the first to admit that I have a personal and professional account for certain social media forms because I want to have a job where you have to be the most social media savvy and professional while being personable. But the shade that people can throw at you when they see something they don’t like on a personal account….. It can make you rebel, or feel as guilty as if you picked up a dime in front of a homeless person.
You Cannot Control What You Are Tagged In
I choose not to post pictures where I’m in revealing clothing or doing something scandalous, but just because I won’t post a picture of me doing it, doesn’t mean my friends won’t. The power of a tagged picture can be dangerous because there is nothing you can do if they see it before you can untag yourself.
Nobody Knows What You Truly Mean Through a Screen
They haven’t quite realized that we can’t read their tone on a screen and always understand what they mean. Sometimes it can get us in trouble with other people and it’s a tad frustrating on all ends of the spectrum so I try to avoid those comments.
I Don’t Want My Reputation Tarnished
I know they don’t know normal modern day trends, so if they see me post a certain picture that looks odd to them, I don’t want them thinking I’m a horrible person! I’m still the kind, young child who would jump on you when you came through the door. But at the same time, I’m an adult so please treat me like one.
I Want Privacy
Need I say more with this point? I want the luxury to have fun with my friends and show other friends what we did at the bar and not have it be brought up ever again. Plus certain things are personal that only a few people will see and there’s nothing wrong with that.
I want to go into a profession where I know having knowledge of every app will be a great asset to me so I need to keep my social media accounts polished, so I’m lucky to naturally have a professional account I can have them follow. Not all family members are the invasive and embarrassing type, but most are so you have to be careful.
Featured image via Will Francis on Unsplash
