We live in a day and age where we post everything online. The good, the bad, the in-between—it all gets posted! However, what you may not realize is that your social media post, although posted with good intentions, could possibly be hurting your online friends. Here are some things to consider:
Infertility and Loss
So you’re expecting—Congrats! While it’s an exciting time for you, take a moment to think about the friends who may see your pregnancy announcement on social media. 1 in 8 couples experience infertility. This means statistically there are many of your online friends who will see your post, and for them, it may instantly trigger grief. I’m not saying don’t celebrate the good things in your life, but I am saying be sensitive in what and how you post.
Children
The same thing goes for sharing about your children. Before you complain about a hard day, behavior problems, or how exhausted you are being a parent, consider your audience. Are there possibly people who may see your post and think, “Well at least you have children?” Try to be mindful of not only infertility but also pregnancy loss, which is often very private and not always publicly shared.
Job Loss
It’s very easy to focus on your own frustrations with your job, and not consider others’ feelings. Before you take to social media to complain about your job, your boss, or your work stress, take a moment to reflect. Do you have friends who have recently experienced a job loss or loss of stability? Remember that while you are stressed because of your job, you may have friends wondering how they are going to pay their bills.
Marriage
Your spouse probably does things that annoy you. That’s normal! Just remember when you post about your marriage, that you may have friends that are praying and desiring for a spouse. Also, you may have friends who are going through a separation or a divorce that they don’t want to occur. Your post may incite anger, grief, or hurt feelings.
Family Issues
Your family may drive you crazy, and you may feel drawn to share about it on social media. Just remember that you have friends who have lost family members (either through death or estrangement/abandonment) and may be grieving. They would do anything to have their family member back, and your post may be very painful or triggering to them.
There are many things to consider when posting online. One question to ask yourself is, “Could this post possibly hurt one of my friends?” It’s important to remember that the things you are complaining about, other people are often praying for. Be kind, always.
Written by Christy Fogg, MSW, LCSW
*Christy Fogg, MSW, LCSW is a licensed therapist at Journey to Joy Counseling. Christy enjoys doing marriage/couples counseling, individual counseling, premarital counseling. She also provides family counseling, teen and adolescent counseling.
Journey to Joy Counseling serves the Indianapolis area, including Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Zionsville, and Westfield.
