Years into my social media journey, there are a few things I’ve learned the hard way. If I could start fresh, here are some things I’d approach differently now that I’m older and wiser…
1 I Wouldn’t Sign Up for Every Platform That Comes Along
When social media was newer, it was tempting to sign up for every platform that popped up. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok—you name it, I joined. The excitement of being “in the loop” was undeniable, but over time, managing accounts across so many platforms became exhausting. It’s also unnerving to think about how much data I’ve given away to these companies, often without a second thought.
Looking back, I would have been far more selective about which services I joined. Instead of signing up for everything, I’d ask myself if I really needed to be on that platform or if it truly added value to my life. Once you’ve handed over your data, it’s hard to take it back, so being more mindful from the beginning would have saved me the stress of worrying about my digital footprint.
2 I Would Be More Careful About Posting Every Thought as a Teenager
Like many, I wasn’t shy about sharing my opinions, frustrations, and random musings on social media as a teen. Unfortunately, what seemed like harmless venting or humor back then can sometimes resurface in ways that are cringeworthy or even problematic years later. The internet has a long memory.
If I could start fresh, I’d take a moment to think before posting. Teenage me would have benefited from the advice to keep certain thoughts private, or at least off the internet.
3 I’d Avoid Sharing Too Much Personal Information
When social media was new, there wasn’t the same level of awareness around privacy. I’d share details about where I lived, what school I went to, and even my current location. At the time, it felt natural to update friends and family about every aspect of my life. But now, with all the risks of identity theft, data breaches, and privacy violations, I realize how risky it was to put that much personal information online.
If I were starting fresh, I’d be far more guarded about what I share. Keeping my location, personal milestones, and other sensitive details private would have given me more control over my online security. It’s much harder to undo this once you’ve already put your life out there, so setting those boundaries early on would have spared me the stress of managing my digital privacy later.
4 I Wouldn’t Get Caught Up in the Likes Chase
In the early days, I got caught up in the numbers game—counting likes, comparing my engagement to others, and tweaking posts to get more attention. Likes felt like validation, and when a post didn’t perform well, it was hard not to take it personally. I spent way too much energy trying to crack the algorithm code for more engagement. But looking back, none of that truly mattered.
The likes chase is exhausting, and distracts from the whole point of sharing content that feels meaningful. Starting fresh, I’d focus more on posting what I care about rather than what I thought would get the most attention.
5 I’d Think Twice Before Connecting with Strangers
Back when I first joined social media, I had no problem accepting friend requests or following people I barely knew. The more connections, the better, right? It took time to realize that giving strangers access to my personal life wasn’t the best idea.
If I could start over, I’d be far more selective about who I connect with. Not every Facebook friend request needs to be accepted, and not every follow-back is necessary. I’d prioritize genuine relationships over numbers and build a community that I’m excited to engage with, rather than opening up my world to people who don’t really know me.
There’s so much I’d do differently if I could go back to the early days of social media. The lessons I’ve learned—from oversharing to chasing likes—are the kind of wisdom that only hindsight brings. While it’s impossible to reset my online history completely, these insights currently guide how I use social media now, and they might just help someone else make wiser choices from the beginning.
