Oversharing in 2024: The Real Dangers of Telling Too Much Online

It’s one of those mornings. The kind where you’re supposed to enjoy the silence with a hot cup of coffee, but the air feels different—heavy. The news about Typhoon Pepito PH passing through soon sits in the back of my mind, brewing like the storm clouds outside. As I scroll through social media, the posts remind me how our relationship with privacy has shifted. We live in an age where oversharing has become second nature, yet the consequences of telling too much online have never been more serious.

Why Do We Overshare? The Psychology Behind It

There’s a certain comfort in posting online. It’s like sitting down with a friend and venting, except now our audience is much bigger. We share the mundane—what we had for breakfast, a random thought while cutting our nails, or even what we’re feeling right before a storm hits. For a moment, it feels good. Like someone out there is listening.

But why do we do it?

In the early days of social media, back when Facebook launched in 2004, everyone with a new account shared everything—their breakfast choices, random musings, even what they were watching on TV. It felt exciting to broadcast our lives in real time, like we were all part of a big, connected diary.

The hard truth? Most people don’t care about what you’re sharing.

Not because they’re indifferent, but because they’re wrapped up in their own lives. Everyone is juggling their own problems, work, and relationships. They scroll through posts while thinking about their next task or their own worries. The constant updates get drowned out in the noise of a hundred other posts, each vying for attention.

As the novelty faded, so did the patience for endless updates. Today, oversharing has become tiresome. When people see it now, they tend to unfriend or unfollow. What once felt like openness now feels like clutter.

I remember this one experience during a family gathering. One of the younger relatives joked, “Kay Kuya Gino tayo magpa-picture, kasi sure yan na maya-maya lang naka-post na yan sa Facebook.” That was a turning point for me. I was an oversharer and an overposter. Was I offended? Not really. But they were right.

That’s when I stopped taking photos and videos, and refused to post them on my timeline.

According to a study published in Frontiers in Psychology, oversharing is linked to anxiety relief and a desire for social connection. The immediate feedback loop on social media can temporarily ease feelings of loneliness or isolation (Frontiers in Psychology).

The Different Faces of Oversharing

Not all oversharers are the same. Let’s break down the most common types we encounter online.

1. The Dirty Laundry Aficionado: These are the people who turn social media into their personal drama series. They air out every grievance—family fights, relationship issues, and workplace rants. It’s like watching a reality TV show unfold on your feed, except no one asked for it.

2. The Parinig Pro: They love dropping vague, passive-aggressive posts. It’s the classic, “Some people really need to mind their own business.” It’s designed to provoke, leaving everyone guessing who the target might be. It’s fishing for sympathy or validation, without directly naming names.

3. The TMI Queen: This is the person who shares every mundane detail of their day—from cutting their nails to eating lunch, to even the more private moments best left unsaid. I once had to unfriend someone after just 15 minutes of following their updates. Some things should stay offline.

We’ve all seen these posts. We’ve all judged them.

And maybe, at one point, we’ve been guilty of it too.

Scammers Are Watching: The Risks of Oversharing

Oversharing isn’t just annoying; it’s dangerous. The more we reveal online, the easier it is for scammers to piece together our information. They go through posts, zooming in on photos where house numbers might be visible. They scan public birthday and anniversary posts, details that many people use as passwords.

A friend once told me he wasn’t worried about this because he limits his posts to friends only. I reminded him that not everyone on his Facebook list is a true friend; some might be scammers. They often create duplicate accounts of someone you know and send you a friend request. Accept it, and they gain access to your entire feed.

Some people discuss login details and passwords in Facebook messages. If a scammer gains access to these chats, it’s more than just stolen information—it could mean drained accounts.

The real danger lies in using the same login and password for everything—from social media and email accounts to financial apps like Gcash, Maya, and even bank accounts. If a scammer gets hold of your login and password, they can unlock your entire digital life in minutes.

Security Tip: Many don’t realize how vulnerable this makes them. One way to protect yourself is through two-factor authentication (2FA). Here’s how it works: when you log in, the app sends a code to your phone or email. You must enter this code before accessing your account. Even if a scammer gets your password, they can’t log in without the additional code. It’s an extra layer of security that can make all the difference.

Scammers love it when people overshare. It’s their easiest job.

Conclusion: The Quiet Power of Privacy

As I finish my coffee, I think about the unease from the storm outside and how it mirrors the unease of living in a world that constantly overshares. Privacy isn’t about secrecy—it’s about savoring the moments that belong only to you. It’s the calm before the storm of notifications and updates.

Reflect on the last time you kept a moment just for yourself. It might be the most meaningful one you’ve had in a while.