Oversharing on Social Media Can Be Prevented with Empathy and Self-Control

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Professor Rose Mini Agoes Salim, a leading figure in the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Indonesia, has warned that oversharing can be prevented by prioritising, among other things, empathy and self-control.

“If the information being shared is educational, part of a research project or a lecture, then it may still have a positive impact on others. But if it’s something personal, there’s no need to share it so widely. There are things that, morally, people should limit themselves from saying,” said the psychologist, who is affectionately known as Romi, in an interview with ANTARA in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Every piece of information shared on social media has the potential to generate various perceptions from others who receive it.

The psychologist reminded that not all information needs to be shared on social media, especially details about one’s personal life. People who engage in oversharing, particularly on social media, often do not realise their behaviour.

“Why are they unaware when they are oversharing? Because sometimes they may receive positive feedback, and there is an audience that pays attention to them,” she said.

This situation sometimes occurs because it is triggered by the feeling of being noticed or appreciated by others who receive the information, for example, receiving likes or comments on social media, which creates a similar effect.

Romi advises that when using social media, people should be more careful about sharing information. Every post on social media has two sides, both positive and negative, so users need to limit themselves in what they share with the public.

She emphasised the importance of moral stimulation, where individuals must be able to distinguish between what is good and what is bad, including when expressing opinions, especially when using social media. The concept of morality, according to Romi, includes seven essential virtues that should guide behaviour, including empathy, self-control and conscience.

Self-control helps a person to refrain from sharing everything in public, while conscience determines whether an action is right or wrong.

“These seven essential virtues need to be present in every human being, and they already are, but they need to be stimulated so that we can better understand them and incorporate them into our lives in practice. For example, when making decisions, including when posting on social media,” said Romi.

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