Social Media has become a great tool to network with new people and reconnect with old friends. It allows for a different way to interact and exchange thoughts and ideas with others. Expanding your “human reach” in a digital way. With all of the open access to people now, it has also caused concern and worry for some.
Just as there became a flood of spammers once email took off, it has similarly happened with Social Media. You get businesses or businesses portraying themselves as models, that will follow you and try to sell you something. There’s another group though too that are REAL people that may follow you, but with a bad motive that can cause stress and anxiety – stalkers.
Imagine getting a friend or follow request, and everything seems fine, but then you get DM’d or messaged, and things go in an odd and uncomfortable direction. I’ve heard 1st hand stories from women who’ve gone through this very problem, being stalked via Social Media. Thank goodness for deleting, blocking and reporting via the internet, but what if that’s not enough? If they get a NEW account and do the same thing over and over again. Then legal action may need to be taken. Posting your physical location may not be a good thing to do for awhile if you’re being digitally stalked. Saying where you’re going or what your future plans will be may not be a good idea at that time either. Self-editing and planning are key.
This isn’t meant to be a “Gloom & Doom” post, but just a reminder that with all the good that has come from and will continue to come from Social Media, a certain level of caution is an element to include in your personal Social Media planning.