Respecting social media boundaries

Why are boundaries so difficult for most people to respect? I ask this question because I notice that these days people often cross boundaries that they are supposed to respect and accept as boundaries. Blessings Adams narrates, “Have you had instances where someone you just accepted their friend request on a social media platform suddenly […]

Why are boundaries so difficult for most people to respect? I ask this question because I notice that these days people often cross boundaries that they are supposed to respect and accept as boundaries.

Blessings Adams narrates, “Have you had instances where someone you just accepted their friend request on a social media platform suddenly decides to give you a video call? Yes, a video call! The annoying part is that when you decide to pick, the person starts with, ‘Hi darling, pictures don’t do you justice’”

“For me, such people immediately get blocked after serious warnings. I really do not understand how people have lost all caution on social media. Do we really need to cross boundaries on social media?

Salamatu Abubakar, 38-year-old accountant, says “Some people just don’t understand that there are boundaries even on social media. They don’t understand that you don’t just call someone who is a total stranger to you on Facebook messenger from the blues without asking them if it’s alright with you.”

Bara’atu Bello, 40-year-old entrepreneur, says “It’s sad and really nauseating when people think social media is a place to just cross boundaries with everyone. People don’t even know most of the people on their friend list. That I decided to accept your request doesn’t mean you can come on my personal page and ask silly questions or make silly comments. These days, I get requests from those in secondary school and when I don’t respond, they creep up Facebook messenger and send messages like, ‘Hi babe, please accept my request,’ Really?”

Amina Ahmed, 40-year-old analyst, says “Everyday social media is a continuous battle. I try not to lose my mind over statements that are made online. It’s only in a country like ours that everyone says and does whatever they like with social media. In other organized countries, things like this just don’t go on without consequences. The bottom line is to keep away from personal and sensitive affairs of others on social media.”

Emmanuel Adams, 43-year-old computer engineer, laments “I can’t tell you how disgusted I leave social media platforms every day after surfing the internet. I get friend requests from my wife’s friends on Facebook and when I bring it to her notice, she tells me she hardly knows them and just accepted their friend requests recently too. You don’t send friend requests to spouses of Facebook friends of the opposite sex you have never met and/or begin to chat them up and send pictures or make financial requests. It’s disgusting! These people have no decorum at all.”

Patience John, 38-year-old beautician, says “Someone sent me a request and I accepted. The next thing was a video call and behold when I picked he was stark naked. I blocked him immediately. Video calling someone you have never met before is purely stupid and rude. It’s hard to understand why people can’t respect boundaries?”