What to share with the world-and what not to share

What to share with the world-and what not to share

By MUSYOKA NGUI

Being a social media resident, I am exposed to trends as they happen. I don’t have to wait for nine o’clock news to know what’s going on. Breaking news unfold before media gatekeepers share. What they want you to see is totally different from what has happened.

Be that as it may, my post today is about what to share with the world-and what not to share.

CONSENT

One, private information should be kept off social media. Private in the sense that once you share certain information, you expose yourself to con artists and thieves masquerading as your friends. Other private information you ought to respect is sharing personal material without the consent of the person in the photo. Of course, we in the media are branded paparazzi for shooting too often and crossing the line. But here I mean, for instance, unless it’s a material weighed by public interest, don’t portray private information without the consent of an adult in the photo. A parent allows consent for their children to be taken photos. If they haven’t nodded, keep off.

Obtain consent from a person even if they are your friend or family and if they say no, respect their view. Adding a person to a WhatsApp group without briefing them about what the group is about and its agenda is wrong. Having your friend’s number doesn’t guarantee you permission to add them to a group just because you are an admin and thinking your ego will be okay since you believe you’re the new sheriff in town.

BE YOU

Be natural. Don’t over-edit the photo you post on social media until people start wondering if that is you in the photo. Just invest in a good smartphone. Good in the sense that it has excellent megapixels for the selfie. 16 to 25 MP is enough to get a good selfie. Avoid blurred and shady backgrounds. Be you.

When taking a photo, ensure there is adequate light. Natural light from the sun is enough to illuminate your fundamentals and get the point home. Focus on the face, if you are taking a selfie, the shirt/blouse/top etc. in a conservative society, they have a habit of being holier than thou. Let them talk. Don’t gag anyone. Better bad publicity than no publicity at all. Tag your kind. People who can share to their many followers and give you free publicity. Keep off people who are critical to your thought.

NUDITY

Social media has been rife with youths showing their asses, boobs, thighs even nudity.  Respect your parents, at least. If you don’t, block them from your social circles. But the world being such a tiny globe, word will go round till the person you blocked knows what you shared and you are condemned since you deserve condemnation anyway.

Advertisers, employers and buyers run through your social media account to research your persona. Don’t burn your CV trying to impress strangers on social media. Common decency dictates your conduct. Let it.