Oversharing in conversations isn’t a new phenomenon. Throughout history, people have disclosed personal secrets, vulnerabilities, and desires to the wrong listeners, leading to consequences ranging from mild embarrassment to damaged reputations. With the advent of social media, sharing these intimate details with a potentially vast audience has become easier than ever before.
However, determining what qualifies as oversharing online is far from straightforward. Each social media platform has its unique norms, and users have varying opinions about what content crosses the line into cringe-worthy or overly personal territory. For example, expressing negative emotions on Facebook may seem acceptable, but on Instagram, users generally expect to encounter positive, albeit somewhat inauthentic content. Recent studies suggest that TikTok’s norms empower users to share both challenging and positive experiences openly.
As social media continues to occupy an increasingly intimate space in our lives, Ysabel Gerrard, a senior lecturer in digital communication at the University of Sheffield, believes that the nature of our online posts and how audiences interpret them will evolve. Gerrard, whose research focuses on young people’s experiences of social media and digital identities, suggests that as social platforms become repositories for meaningful memories, the content we share will become more personal. However, this raises the question: Is there such a thing as oversharing in this evolving landscape?
The Complex Nature of Oversharing
Defining oversharing in the digital age involves navigating various factors. Gerrard highlights that the purpose of a person’s social media account plays a crucial role in determining whether a post is seen as oversharing. With many individuals deeply embedded in social media, they often compartmentalize their identities across different accounts on various platforms, and even within the same platform. What constitutes oversharing on one account may not be perceived the same way by the audience of another. The absence of contextual cues, prevalent in face-to-face communication, further complicates the issue on social media.
The Role of Platform Norms
The platform-specific norms are central to people’s comfort levels with sharing. Each platform has its own unique ecosystem defined by policies, technologies, aesthetics, financial models, and more. As a result, a person’s behavior, emotional connection, and the way they interpret others’ content vary significantly across platforms. What might be considered oversharing on Instagram may not hold the same connotation on TikTok. The norms of each platform significantly influence how content is perceived.
Perception Is Subjective
Determining what constitutes oversharing is subjective and varies among individuals. What one person may view as an overshare, another may perceive as a genuine, heartfelt expression. If asked to identify an oversharing post on a platform, seeking consensus among a diverse group of people would likely prove challenging.
Social Media’s Growing Intimacy
Social media platforms are increasingly occupying intimate roles in people’s lives. Trends such as finstas (fake Instagram accounts) and photo dumps illustrate how individuals are using these platforms for more personal and reflective purposes. Instagram, in particular, is becoming a repository for meaningful memories, suggesting that it may have a lasting presence in our lives.
Audience Matters
When posting on social media, individuals are aware of their audience, and this awareness influences their choices. Some forms of intimacy may garner more attention, clicks, likes, or views. However, there is a fine line, as some forms of intimacy can be exploited or weaponized.
Potential Backfire
Oversharing can backfire in multiple ways. It may involve posting content intended for a specific audience but being seen by unintended recipients, leading to undesirable consequences. Additionally, posting inappropriate content on a platform ill-suited for it can lead to negative reactions.
Conclusion
The concept of oversharing on social media is evolving as platforms become more integral to our lives. While some forms of oversharing may serve as valuable outlets for expression and support, determining what is too much remains subjective. Social media’s growing intimacy, evolving norms, and complex audience dynamics contribute to the ongoing discussion about what constitutes oversharing. As we continue to engage with these platforms, it is essential to recognize that the boundaries of sharing are continually shifting, reflecting our changing relationship with social media.