YOUR Social Media Reputation Mistakes?

Social media has transformed the world as we know it. It keeps us connected to friends and family and brings humor into our lives when we need it most. But like anything, there can be a dark side to social media — and it is often misused by people, wittingly or unwittingly..

Ten Harvard students lost their admission to the respected school because of offensive memes they were posting on a group chat page. While most of us might not go that far, there are things we should beware of posting on social media. The wrong meme or tweet could cost us important relationships or tarnish our reputations.

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What are five common mistakes people make on social media that can hurt their relationships with others?

1. Airing Your Dirty Laundry For Others To See

If you're having problems with your partner, be respectful and discuss them directly with your partner! If you're venting on social media, it makes things awkward for your friends and gives people lots to gossip about.

2. Posting Anything Negative

People make judgments quickly on social media. I recently saw someone post the following, "Angry AF today." If you're single and people get the feeling you're negative or a Debbie Downer, they're going to think twice before setting you up with their friends.

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3. Vaguebooking — Posting Something Borderline Hostile That Is Pointed At One Person

For example, "I wish that if someone had something that they wanted me to know, they would tell me to my face instead of behind my back." This makes you look petty and passive-aggressive.

4. Posting Private Or Negative Things About Your Kids

In other words, "too much information" that would embarrass them. I see some parents using Facebook as a zone to talk ALL about their kids (good, bad or intimate), with details their kids probably wouldn't want shared.

Always ask your child if they mind you posting something or a particular photo. Even at their young ages, they will have strong opinions. Respect your kids' privacy and wishes, and you'll preserve their trust for years to come.

5. Tagging Your Friends In Old Photos

I hear people complain about this all of the time. They don't want old high school photos tagged and showing up in people's news feeds. It's embarrassing to some people and they'd rather leave those memories in the yearbook. If you feel the need to post an old photo, ask people's permission before you tag them.

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6. Arguing On Facebook

In today's super-charged political environment, people feel entitled to rant and tear others down in social media posts. It's easy to go back and forth with comments, while the hostility builds rapidly. You are NOT going to change someone's mind by arguing your point. The collateral damage is that you will look like "that" person who is ... Crazy.

7. Posting Photos You'd Be Embarrassed If Your Boss Or Family Saw

In today's world, you are one screen shot away from going viral (and even losing your job). Keep your social media posts "social" — and keep your photos appropriate. If you wouldn't want your mom or boss to see the photos, the world doesn't need to see them either.

Guest Authored By Bela Gandhi. Bela is a Top Dating/Relationship Coach and Social Media Personality. She's the founder and president of Smart Dating Academy. Follow Bela on Twitter.

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Your personal brand is affected by your social media posts, even if the people know you well.

Use it to connect with people, be positive and share inspiration.

Do not use it for dark, negative or downright crazy posts.

Follow these rules, and you should keep your relationships on the up and up, and your reputation crisp and clean!

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  Authored by:

  Fred Hansen Pied Piper of Social Media Marketing at YourWorldBrand.com & CEO of Millennium 7 Publishing Co. in Loveland, Colorado. I work deep in the trenches of social media strategy, community management and trends.  My interests include; online business educator, social media marketing, new marketing technology, skiing, hunting, fishing and The Rolling Stones..-Not necessarily in that order ;)

Social Media And YOUR Better Half?

We've all heard of the 'should you be friends with your ex on social media' debate. It's a risky decision -- there might be photos of a new flame, posts about single life or the dreaded relationship status change..

But what we don't hear that much about is whether or not it's a good idea to befriend your current other half in the digital world.

You might think -- why not? Afterall, social media is a part of everyday life. But it turns out there's a split debate and it may be worth thinking twice before accepting a friend request from your significant other.

According to Dr Nikki Goldstein, sexologist, relationship expert and author of Single But Dating, it takes time for a sense of security to develop, which means if you're new into a relationship, avoid merging your virtual worlds.

"If it's a new relationship, you need to get to know the person, not the perception of what they project online," Goldstein said.

"In a new relationship you'll start prodding instead of actually asking the question and you might come out with a bit more jealousy, so the risk is that you'll see things and you won't be sure how to digest it so you'll sweep it underneath the rug and you'll let the jealousy consume you."

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Goldstein suggests if you're looking at past photos, following up on their comments or wondering about their newest Instagram follower, it's time to 'unfriend' and have a conversation with your partner to break down communication barriers.

"Maybe they're not replying to your text message but they've just 'checked in' somewhere, and you're thinking, 'hang on a minute, you've got time to check in but you don't have time to call me back' -- these are all things in a new relationship that can really send you crazy," Goldstein said.

"It's when you get a sense of security, when you feel there are those clear communication channels, that you can express concerns in a way that's not aggressive or not accusing them. At that point, add them on social media because then whatever comes up you'll be able to address it easily and quickly and it won't become a problem, it'll be a conversation."

Goldstein also suggests not jumping to conclusions about your partner's decision to keep your relationship off social media, keeping in mind respect and privacy.

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"Some people want to protect their relationship and that's where you have to think more on the optimistic side -- think that maybe they don't want comments from everybody, or everybody giving their opinion on what's going on in the relationship," Goldstein said.

"Make sure you actually live your relationship for you not for the validation of the people around you."

While you may see things on your partner's social media that might invoke a sense of paranoia, keeping your digital lives separate can also cause conflict within the relationship.

As psychologist and dating expert, Melanie Schilling reveals, excluding your partner is like never taking them as your plus one to events.

"Just think about what it means to include your partner in your digital world, and more importantly, what it means to exclude them -- it can signal 'I don't trust you' or 'you are not worthy of being in my inner circle'," Schilling said.

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"Remember, what we do online is simply a version of what we do in the real world -- would you openly tell your partner they are not invited to a party with you?"

If you do choose to keep your relationship sans social media, Schilling suggests staying connected on messaging apps or platforms like email, or choosing a new platform to explore and experiment with together.

Alternatively, remember the way we used to tell people what we were up to before Facebook was invented?

Talk to each other! (Ringing any bells?) Don't send your partner the filtered, angled photos we splash on social media sites, call them and talk about your day.

Guest Authored By Kirstie Fitzpatrick. Kirstie is a Digital Communications and Blog Writer for HuffPostAU. Follow Kirstie on Twitter.

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Remember the way we used to tell people what we were up to before Facebook was invented?

Talk to each other! (Ringing any bells?) Don't send your partner the filtered, angled photos we splash on social media sites, call them and talk about your day..

• 

  Authored by:

  Fred Hansen Pied Piper of Social Media Marketing at YourWorldBrand.com & CEO of Millennium 7 Publishing Co. in Loveland, Colorado. I work deep in the trenches of social media strategy, community management and trends.  My interests include; online business educator, social media marketing, new marketing technology, skiing, hunting, fishing and The Rolling Stones..-Not necessarily in that order ;)