Social Media Boundaries
A few weeks ago I started talking about boundaries, but as if you haven’t noticed already, I sometimes have a hard time staying on one topic too long.

So let me circle back to the idea of boundaries around our social media. Otherwise, what parameters do you put around your social media use that will help prevent you from getting swallowed up by it, going insane or letting it completely dominating your life?

What Is A Boundary?
Most simply defined, a boundary is, the line or plane indicating the limit or extent of something.

So is there a line or plane that indicates the limit or extent to which you will engage, or allow social media to take over your life? What is it? How do you even know if social media is taking over your life?

Do You Have Social Media Boundaries In Your Life? Quiz Time
Here is my little quiz. Answering yes to any or all of these tells me it has taken over. Keep in mind that to come up with questions means that I have probably violated some or all of them. So know you are in good company. And I know there are more, so feel free to contribute in the comment section. Also, remember, social media and using it is not bad in and of itself, it’s when it takes over facets of our lives.

1. You hop on the web to do a simple task, but you still find yourself online hours later, addicted, doing something completely different than your initial task?
2. When you are with your family you have thoughts of, “I can’t wait until they all get in bed, then finally I can post my blog?”
3. If you don’t blog, Twitter or message on Facebook you feel as if you are letting others down, or you feel left out?  You feel less relevant?
4. When you are with your wife at dinner you check incoming messages or play with your phone, even if it seems like an appropriate time to do so (like when she’s at the restroom).
5. On your day off you can’t walk into the next room or leave the house without your cell phone?
6. You find yourself Twittering about experiences as they are happening, rather than just living the experience (i.e. athletic events, concerts, your children’s events, baby delivery, etc, etc.)
7. When you go to dinner with your friends you look around and all  of you are on your phones texting, Twittering, etc….even if that’s now expected and accepted, it is what you are all doing? Continue Reading…