Pitfalls of a world with social media

Communication in years past included many methods that would take time for the recipient. Mail would take weeks if not months to arrive. Telegraphs and telephones were invented, allowing easier and quicker methods of communication, but even then you were limited to the connection you may receive the communication. Never before have we been able to "talk" to someone so quickly as we are in today's world with today's technology.

In today's world, along with a telephone, you have people connected to a mobile phone. You can email, chat, text, join social networks all in attempts to stay in touch with family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances. It is great to have such instant connection with others in far off places from where you are sitting...and also has it's own set of issues.

I have a friend who discovered his girlfriend was cheating on him based on information within her Facebook profile, status, and wall postings. They lived together, she was helping raise his son, and been together for quite some time. The pain in his own status messages after the discovery were gut-wrenching.

I have other friends who will spill their own daily doings, when they are sick, getting up in the morning, going to sleep, going to shop, eat out, etc. Everything posted for all to see at any moment of the day. In looking at these posts, one may wonder what is not left to the imagination, or kept quiet.

The worst of this is the meaning behind what is posted. In reading a post where someone may find intrigue in something, the reader may be left to read between the lines and feel hurt. In reading a post where a comment is made, the reader may find issue with content. Who is right? Who is wrong? At the end of the day if hurt is to be had, does it really matter?