“Oversharing: Freedom of Expression or Privacy Threat?”

Photo source: Kompas Health

Oversharing is a condition in which someone shares too much personal information about themselves. Social media plays an important role in this phenomenon because many people use it to share their journeys, sadness, happiness, and other aspects of their lives. While sharing can be something positive, oversharing excessive personal information can be dangerous. One reason is that we never truly know whether people will respond with kindness or negativity.

Some people may feel upset or jealous about others’ achievements. This is not something impossible to happen. However, what if oversharing is actually a form of freedom of expression?

Before discussing this further, we need to understand the reasons why people engage in oversharing on social media platforms. First, attention-seeking behaviour. Some people have a strong desire to gain attention, perhaps because they did not receive enough attention during childhood or because they want to feel loved. They enjoy being noticed, and when they are ignored, they may feel sad and start looking for validation elsewhere.

Second, feelings of loneliness. Yes, this is true. One reason people overshare is because they feel lonely and need someone to talk to. Sometimes, it is not even a real person they are talking to, but social media applications such as TikTok and Instagram, which temporarily reduce their feelings of loneliness.

Third, a lack of awareness. Many people do not realize that they lack boundaries. They do not set limits on what should or should not be shared publicly. As a result, personal struggles that should remain private become public consumption, often misunderstood by others.

Fourth, the need for validation. Validation is the act of receiving approval or recognition from others. People who crave validation tend to keep posting content that makes them feel satisfied. They hope that those who view their stories will applaud them, support them, and feel proud of them.

Furthermore, it is important to understand the risks of oversharing on social media. First, the loss of privacy in daily life. When everything is constantly posted online, everyone knows what is happening, and this is not always a good thing. Privacy is an essential part of life and should be protected. Second, oversharing can lead to addiction to external validation, where individuals depend heavily on others’ approval to feel valued.

Now that we understand the reasons and risks of oversharing, we can return to the main question in the title: is oversharing a form of freedom of expression or a threat to privacy?

Although oversharing can be seen as a form of freedom of expression, anything done excessively is never good. Freedom of expression should still be accompanied by awareness and responsibility. When personal information is shared without limits, it becomes a threat rather than a right. Therefore, it is important for individuals to know themselves better and choose healthier ways to express their emotions, such as through journaling or private reflection.