Millions of Brits now have regrets over revealing too much information over the internet, research has revealed. A study into the online behavior of 2,000 over 18s found one third wish they had kept certain photographs or profile information to themselves.
Many of the ‘over sharers’ have been left red-faced after posting drunken photographs, posing in very little clothing and using inappropriate language- probably because half admit they’re aren’t exactly sure who many of their followers are.
In fact, the same amount said there are people following them online that they don’t actually want to share their information with.
A surprising one in ten have even been pulled up by the boss after publicly moaning about work, and surprisingly, over one in 20 were told by a potential employer that they missed out on a job because they weren’t impressed with photos they had seen online.
A spokesman for digital marketing agency White Hat Media, which commissioned the study, said:
“There is a massive trend for people posting their whereabouts and achievements on a daily basis.
“Research shows that the average person dips in and out of social media several times a day, sharing a wealth of information in the process.
“And it can be hard to remember what followers you have, and who you might be comfortable sharing intimate details with.
“Moaning about a hard day at work might not go down well with the boss or work colleagues, and posting pictures of a night out when you’ve claimed you’re busy to someone else will also cause problems.”
Other mishaps suffered by silly social-medians because of posting too much information include being caught having an affair, getting rumbled for pulling a ‘sickie’ and divulging dates of holidays.
In fact, 6% have been dumped because of something said or done online, 5% were caught two-timing someone and 7% have had a all-too-public argument with their other half.
When it comes to content of slightly more regular posts, ‘over sharers’ admit they often share their proudest moments, how they are feeling and what they did at work, as well as where they are going, illnesses, thoughts on local news, news about friends and family and what they’ve bought that day.
Boasts about the children’s achievements, gossiping about celebrities and what has upset them are also shared on an all-too-regular basis.
One fifth of people admit they give away too much online, with 53% admitting they wouldn’t confide in many of their online friends if they saw them face-to-face.
A massive one in three said they would be embarrassed to learn certain friends or family had seen their photos or posts.
While three in ten admitted looking back at their post and status updates and cringing about what they wrote.
But despite sharing a wealth of information online, only 44% are confident that the details they are posting are safe and secure, while 37% admit they are not online security savvy at all.
More than half of those polled think they should probably be more careful when it comes to sharing information online.
The spokesman continued:
”According to these results people are sharing more and more sensitive information online without even thinking about online privacy or the serious impact it could have on their lives.
”Scientific studies show (Stanford University) that people are willing to freely share private information as long as they believe it will be kept confidential and this is the trap many fall into.
”When this confidentiality is breached or they realize that posting things online is not as private as they first thought, people start to regret quite how much information they’ve put into the public domain.”
TOP 10 WORST ‘OVERSHARING’ MOMENTS
1. Posting drunken photographs
2. Sharing a relationship status, or lack of
3. Moaning about work
4. Using inappropriate language
5. Having a public online bust up
6. Posting photographs wearing a bikini or scantily clad
7. Posting photographs which show inappropriate flirting
8. Slagging off a friend
9. Posting naked photos
10. Moaning about a follower
© Djma | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos
