We Totally Agree

Taylor asks:

Is there a way to ask someone on my friend list on FaceBook to be careful about what she posts? Every day it's another announcement declaring that this particular day she's going to stop letting people shit on her, or maybe it's the day she's down in the dumps and "If anyone needs a doormat, you have one in me!". It's getting rather pathetic, and if we're not reading about the things she should really be discussing with a therapist, we're reading about how big her breasts are or how much she spent on a tattoo and cannot pay her rent. Should I even bother saying anything or is UNFRIEND the way to go? In person I have no problem saying what is on my mind with her, even if she is sensitive about it. I just think there is a time and place for oversharing. FaceBook is not it.

Facebook has given birth to a whole new breed of oversharers and attention whores. Some people just don't seem to realize that the internet reaches everybody. So what do you do when you're inundated daily with poorly spelled rants about the government, emo whining, or potty training exploits?

It depends. First, you have to decide how important this person's friendship is to you. If you're BFFS 4 EVA! you should have no problem talking to the person and saying "Listen, I know you're going through a rough time right now, but every time you post about how so-and-so broke your heart, he wins a little bit harder." If they're a friend you see socially but aren't super close with, go with a more roundabout approach. Try "Don't you hate TMI status updates?" or "OMG, have you seen that site LameBook? People are so dumb with what they put on the internet!" You get bonus points for this one if you actually submit friend's douchy updates before you direct them to the site.

If it's someone you haven't spoken to since high school, or someone you're not comfortable speaking bluntly with, then your best option is to unfriend or block. It won't stop them, but you're not really responsible for their poor decisions anyway.

And while we're on the subject, here are a few tips to make sure none of our readers are guilty of Facebook crimes against humanity.

1. Before you post a status, think about whether you'd want it written on the front page of the New York Times. No? Well guess what, Facebook has a larger audience than the New York Times*, so you shouldn't put it there either.

2. No one cares about your child's poop. No one. Not even their grandparents. Stop posting about it.

3. The best revenge is living well. On that note:

3a. You are not teaching your ex boyfriend any kind of lesson by telling facebook what a jerk he is. You're just making yourself look pathetic, and your ex boyfriend will be glad he dumped you.

3b. Complaining about your life doesn't make people feel sorry for you. It makes people not want to talk to you, which is only going to lead to more complaining on your part. Knock it off.

4. Just say no to facebook chain letters. Do not repost if you love your kids/spouse/teacher/dog or if you support our troops/our government/some cause. If you cared that much, you'd take 5 minutes to write something original.

5. If you are going to post about something politically charged or otherwise controversial, make sure you know what you're talking about. Don't quote what you hear on TV until you've done enough research to have an intelligent discussion on it. When you post something people disagree with, you're going to get comments. You don't want to be the one who devolves the rhetoric to "Well if you cross the border illegally in North Korea you get shot."

6. Proofread. Also, text speak is not allowed. If you can't use the keyboard, get off the computer.

*made up fact, but it's probably true.