Let me start with a confession – in the early days of social media, I took that “What’s on your mind?” status update prompt quite too literally and typed out almost every single thought I had to share with my network of friends. 

I look back on those times not with fondness, but with cringe. A lot of it. When I come across some of my old posts, I even think, “Jeez, what a dummy!”

Fortunately, I’ve evolved through the years and learned how to be a bit more discerning about what I put out into the digital world. 

So, if you want to come across as an intelligent, thoughtful person, here are 7 things you should never share on social media: 

1) Personal drama

First up is personal drama. A lot of people share all sorts online! 

A cheating partner, family members who keep mooching off you, annoying co-workers and a horrible boss, friendship fallouts…social media seems to be the perfect dumping ground for all of these emotions.

And I get it – I really do. I know just how tempting it is to let loose online when you’re bursting with so many feelings. 

But here’s what we so easily forget: the network of friends we have on social media isn’t really entirely made up of friends! 

I am 100% sure that your network has more acquaintances, colleagues, and shallow friendships than real and deep ones. (Do you really want Susie from your old neighborhood knowing that your partner cheated on you?) 

Another thing we forget is that social media is a public place, even if it’s made up of people you know. You wouldn’t have a meltdown or make a dramatic announcement in the middle of an actual, real-life crowd, would you? 

So if you do that online, it sends the message that you’re not smart enough to know this and that you don’t have the emotional intelligence to control your impulses. 

2) Endless complaints

Speaking of emotional intelligence, complaining online constantly will also get these reactions from people – cringe and eye rolls.

Again, it simply shows you don’t have a handle on your emotions. And worse, it might even reflect a victim mentality – definitely not smart. 

Career development coach Steven Lowell explains why social media complaining isn’t a solution to a problem; it only treats a “symptom”.  

“Social media treats the symptom of ‘how we feel when we are unhappy’, but offers no tangible solution to what we see as a ‘problem’, he says.

“In treating the symptom we may tend to pay more attention to complaints that appear ‘agreeable’, but still, we have not solved anything by agreeing on the point, ‘Yeah, this sucks.’”

Complaining online may help you feel lighter afterwards, but ultimately, it doesn’t help others see you as intelligent, credible, and proactive. 

3) Uninformed opinions on controversial topics

Just because you have a thought doesn’t mean you should always share it. This is a good rule of thumb to follow online, as well as in real life. 

Especially if it’s on a topic you don’t really know much about. 

For instance, posting reactionary comments on complex political situations (like international conflicts or economic policies) without a grasp of the nuances can lead to embarrassment. 

It’s a surefire way to get people judging you as uninformed and ignorant. Best to do your research first until you’re sure of your stance and sure that you can back it up. 

That way, when you do speak up, your words carry weight and reflect a well-informed perspective.

This brings me to the next point… 

4) Inaccurate or fake news

Just because something has been published online doesn’t mean it’s true either. 

Fake news is everywhere. I can’t even begin to discuss the damage it causes, from undermining public trust in the media to inciting unnecessary panic and fear. 

Think back to what happened during the pandemic. I remember coming across articles that said masks were harmful and we shouldn’t agree to wear them. And let’s not get started on all the fake news about the vaccine! 

So much false information got spread around and it really got in the way of cooperation and collaboration. 

And it’s not just about health. Fabricated stories about politics and security also distort public perception and influence decisions. They cause real-world damage. 

Before you post or share something, pause. Read valid and factual information on the subject first. Verify its accuracy. 

In the digital age, we all should take on an intelligent, investigative attitude and be more discerning about what we consume and share. 

5) Conspiracy theories

Well, this one’s a quick ticket to getting dismissed as a nutjob. You are free to believe what you want to believe, of course, but you can’t control other people’s perceptions of you because of those beliefs. 

Conspiracy theories damage your reputation because it reflects a lack of discernment, like you’ll believe anything that fits a particular narrative without requiring substantial evidence.

And you know what else? It also reflects a lack of control. 

An interesting study from the Netherlands explored this issue and found that people who felt less in control of their lives were more likely to believe conspiracy theories. They were also more anxious and stressed.  

Hopefully, you haven’t fallen down the conspiracy theory rabbit hole yet, but if you find yourself teetering on the edge, stop right there. 

The pause comes in handy here as well. Question the sources and evidence supporting these theories before you share them. When it comes to social media posts, a dose of skepticism is always healthy! 

6) Excessive self-promotion

One of the things I truly don’t appreciate seeing online is excessive self-promotion. 

There are so many ways this can happen: 

• Endless selfies
• Constantly sharing (and reposting!) milestones or achievements
• Bragging about purchases or financial status 

I do understand that connecting with people online requires some sharing of the self, but like with everything in life, moderation is key. 

For instance, I like seeing people’s milestones or achievements on my feed, but if it’s all they ever share, not only is it repetitive, but it can also create a disconnect. 

And if they’re all about looks and possessions, it leaves the impression that they’re shallow, vain, insecure, and worst of all, narcissistic. 

It’s hard to connect or relate to someone who seems to be obsessed with the image they put out there. 

7) Inappropriate jokes or memes

Lastly, let’s talk about memes and humor. I’m all for using memes online; sometimes they can convey so much more than words, and with a dose of wit and humor, to boot. 

The trick is to choose your memes/jokes wisely. You don’t ever want to post one that crosses the lines of decency and sensitivity. 

Memes that rely on stereotypes or crude humor might get some laughs, but they often demonstrate a lack of original thought, creativity, and elegance. 

Truth is, we should be just as discerning with humor as we are with fake news and conspiracy theories. If you want to seem intelligent, choose memes that are smart, satirical, or cleverly references current events without being derogatory.

This shows that even when it comes to humor, you still think critically about the content you share.