Advice Column: On Internet Oversharing

The internet is your space to explore, connect, and express yourself—but how do you make sure it stays safe and drama-free? This advice column gives real, no-BS guidance on building your online world while protecting your privacy, setting boundaries, and having honest convos with friends about digital safety. Whether you’re dealing with oversharing, online creeps, or group chat chaos, we’ve got your back.

Dear Safe Surfer,

My friends overshare everything on social media. Where they are, what they’re doing, literally all the time. I’m worried they don’t realize how sketchy that is. Scams, cyberbullies, and identity thieves are out there lurking, and I don’t want them to get caught up in something bad.

I’ve tried bringing it up, but they just hit me with “lol we’re fine.” How do I get them to take online safety seriously without sounding like their mom? And is there actually a way to use social media to stay safe instead of just making ourselves easy targets?

Thanks,
Concerned but Caring

Dear Concerned but Caring,

You’re not wrong. Oversharing is like handing out free passes to your life. Here’s what’s lurking in the digital shadows:

Identity theft Hackers piece together your info like a puzzle and suddenly, your bank account is crying.
Cyberstalking: Dropping your location makes it way too easy for weirdos to track you, especially if you’re handing out realtime location updates like candy.
Phishing scams: Those “free gift” links? Big nope.
Privacy leaks: The more you post, the easier for creeps to know your business.

But social media isn’t all bad if you use it right. Stay safe without killing the vibe by:

Locking down privacy settings: No need for strangers to see your entire life.
Thinking before you post: Do you really need to tag your exact location?
Following legit safety accounts: Stay in the loop with the latest scams.
Reporting and blocking. If something feels off, it probably is.

Wanna get your friends on board? Lead by example. Keep your profile on lockdown, casually share crazy stories about oversharing gone wrong, and hit them with, “We kinda overshare a lot, huh?” No pressure, just facts. Send them posts from safety experts and nonprofits (like NoFiltr!) to highlight the issues with online oversharing

Being smart online isn’t being paranoid. It’s just knowing how to play the game.

Stay safe,
Safe Surfer