Have you ever paused and wondered why you feel obligated to look at your phone and tap on social media applications to fully freshen up your sleepy eyes right after you wake up?
With this habit growing daily, the boundaries of our privacy have become hazy. Without hesitation, we share the intimate details of our lives, such as personal photos and videos and thoughts and feelings. Sometimes, we set it up for a global audience of friends, followers, and even strangers.
"Our lives have been running with jet speed, but many of us still find the time to post updates on social media," says Jotee Afroz, a millennial mother of a toddler and a newborn.
"I barely get time for a deep sleep, but I still notice myself checking the Facebook feed sometimes."
Scrolling through feeds on Facebook and Instagram and sharing updates on Twitter and LinkedIn - social media platforms are threaded into nearly every aspect of our personal and professional existence.
"Even if we don't post an update, we certainly spend an hour or a half to see what others are up to," Jotee adds. Within that time, I can know if any of my friends went on a date, if anyone is upset today, or even what someone is thinking about currently."
On top of that, social media gives us a sense of validation through likes, comments, and shares as badges of approval. They allow us to express our creativity, personality, and unique perspectives through photos, videos, and status updates.
For that validation, we often end up sharing sensitive information about ourselves. "Sharing our whereabouts, daily activities, our opinions, beliefs, and preferences may seem harmless and normal at first glance, but if you compare it to what we used to share ten or fifteen years ago, it can be alarming," Jotee further explains.
"I remember when Facebook was still new to us. We used to post silly things and unedited selfies taken through the 5MP back camera of a button phone. It was fun only when our friends were online, too. But now everything is vast and, a lot of the time, too serious. As if we will get bonus points for posting a better photo, writing, or being more active on social media."
But the more you want to share, the more it can have far-reaching consequences. "All the personal information we share becomes fodder for data mining, targeted advertising, and even identity theft," explains Fahad Islam (pseudonym), currently pursuing a PhD in Computer Science and Engineering at a university in the USA.
"We need to be more aware about the permanence of digital footprints. Most of us feel like we're just one drop of the ocean, and the internet is so vast that no one really cares about keeping our information. But the reality is that once information is shared online, it can be almost impossible to erase it fully, and potentially, there is someone or some companies that would love to have your information."
He alerts everyone that this carelessness about leaving digital footprints can lead to possible privacy breaches, reputational damage, and even legal consequences.
"The apps we use create user-friendly interfaces, smooth connectivity, and many unique features and functionalities that give us a similar feel-good sensation as when we play games or watch TV. So many of us think of it as a plaything for our entertainment and let our guard down."
Fahad mentions how tech companies can shape our perceptions, behaviours, and interactions online through targeted advertising, curated content, and user engagement metrics.
"Weirdly, you would feel like you have the autonomy over what you are sharing and setting your privacy, but in truth, the apps manipulate you and keep you in a bubble."
He explains that one of the most concerning aspects is that tech companies routinely collect vast amounts of personal information from users. This information can include their browsing history, location data, social connections, and preferences. This data is then monetised through targeted advertising, where advertisers pay to reach specific demographics or individuals based on their interests and behaviours. "So the apparently harmless quizzes you try for fun like "Tea or Coffee" can also be useful to them."
This complex data sharing and monetisation system makes it difficult for users to understand how their personal information is used and by whom. The lack of transparency undermines user trust and creates concerns about the erosion of privacy in this digitalised structure of connection.
However, both Jotee and Fahad agree that it has come to a point where users willingly share personal information, thoughts, and experiences online, often without considering the possibilities of constant surveillance. Users willingly provide data to tech companies and social media platforms through location check-ins, status updates, and photo uploads, normalising the surveillance culture.
"I think influencers, celebrities, and social media culture, in general, have normalised oversharing on the internet," Jotee shares her opinion about the changed definition of privacy on social media.
"They often set the tone for social media behaviour, indicating what is considered acceptable and desirable in the digital realm. So if influencers share intimate details of their lives, from daily routines to personal struggles and triumphs, their followers can feel encouraged to copy this behaviour."
Perhaps it is peer pressure or the fear of missing out. Either way, we have landed on a culture that declares oversharing normal and harmless. So you and I may feel compelled to share something about ourselves without thinking too much. But little do we know who else has joined the party.
mehenaz.sultana.tisha@gmail.com