Online Oversharing: Risks & Ethics You Need to Know
1 min read
Summary
A new report warns that oversharing on social media sites could leave users vulnerable to serious risks, including ID theft, harassment and scams.
The report defines oversharing as “sharing too much personal information on social media or public websites, sometimes without knowing” and highlights common behaviors that may put people at risk.
These include publishing your full birthday, phone number or home address, discussing personal or family issues online, routinely checking in while away from home, and posting photos that show sensitive information.
The report adds that social media platforms encourage users to overshare, with visibility and engagement rewarded with higher ratings and notifications.
It also notes that once information is published on the internet, it can be seen by those users never intended to access it, advising people to think carefully about what they post and to ensure their settings are correct to maximize privacy.