Facebook is where we share our lives — from big announcements to casual updates. But in 2025, it’s also where scammers, hackers, and even employers peek into our personal worlds. That means not everything belongs on your feed.
Think of Facebook like a huge public bulletin board. Even with privacy settings, your posts can still be seen, shared, or screenshotted. Once it’s out there, you can’t fully take it back.
In this guide, we’ll talk about what not to share on Facebook if you want to stay safe, protect your reputation, and keep your personal life truly personal.
Contents
Why This Matters in 2025
Social media has evolved, and so have the risks.
- Data breaches happen more often.
- Scams are more sophisticated.
- Employers check social profiles before hiring.
- Even “friends” can unintentionally spread private details.
Being mindful of what you post isn’t about being paranoid — it’s about being smart.
1. Your Exact Location in Real-Time
Sharing that you’re on vacation might seem innocent, but it’s an open invitation for burglars. Posting your real-time location gives strangers insight into your daily patterns.
Better alternative: Share travel pictures after you return home. If you want to check in at a location, wait until you’ve already left.
2. Personal Identification Details
Never post:
- Your home address
- Phone number
- Driver’s license
- Passport details
- Social Security Number
Even something as small as your birthday combined with your hometown can be used for identity theft.
3. Financial Information
It’s surprising how often people post:
- Photos of new credit cards
- Bank transfer screenshots
- Paycheck stubs
This is exactly the kind of content cybercriminals look for.
Pro tip: Even if you block out some numbers, metadata in photos can still reveal information.
4. Complaints About Your Job or Employer
That “funny” rant about your boss can cost you more than a few likes — it can cost you your job. In 2025, HR departments actively monitor employees’ social media presence.
Better alternative: Vent in private with trusted friends, not on a public platform.
5. Offensive or Controversial Opinions
The internet never forgets. Heated posts about politics, religion, or sensitive issues can damage relationships and harm your professional image.
Ask yourself: Would I be okay with my post being read aloud in a job interview?
6. Your Kids’ Full Details
Many parents love sharing about their children, but full names, school locations, and daily routines should never be public. Child predators often gather such details from social media.
Better alternative: Share close-up shots without identifying landmarks, uniforms, or personal info.
7. Photos You Wouldn’t Want an Employer to See
Party photos might feel harmless among friends, but recruiters can easily find them. Once an image is online, it can be copied or saved forever.
8. Health Information
Oversharing medical updates might make you vulnerable to scams targeting specific conditions. Also, health data can be used in discriminatory ways.
9. Anything That Breaks Facebook’s Rules
This includes:
- Hate speech
- Misinformation
- Harassment
- Copyrighted material without permission
Your account could be suspended, or worse, permanently banned.
10. Sensitive Relationship Drama
Posting arguments, breakups, or personal fights invites gossip and judgment. Plus, it’s harder to heal from something when it’s public.
The Psychology Behind Oversharing
People overshare on Facebook for validation, attention, or connection. But the short-term likes are not worth long-term consequences. Social media works best when you control the narrative — not when it controls you.
How Privacy Settings Can Help (But Not Save You)
Yes, you should use Facebook’s privacy tools:
- Limit your audience to friends.
- Review tagged photos before they appear on your timeline.
- Restrict who can send friend requests or see your friends list.
But remember: even private posts can be screenshot or shared by someone you trust.
Real-World Examples
- Case 1: A traveler posted a vacation selfie while away. Their house was robbed the next day.
- Case 2: An employee complained about their manager. Screenshots reached HR, and they were fired.
- Case 3: A parent posted their child’s school sports schedule. A stranger showed up at the game.
The “Think Before You Post” Checklist
Before you post anything on Facebook, ask yourself:
- Could this information be used against me?
- Am I revealing my location or personal routine?
- Would I be okay if my boss saw this?
- Is there any sensitive data in the image or caption?
- Will this still feel okay to have online in 5 years?
FAQ: What Not to Share on Facebook
What should you never post on Facebook?
Avoid posting personal information, real-time location, financial details, offensive opinions, and anything you wouldn’t want a stranger to see.
Is it safe to share my phone number on Facebook?
No. It can be used for scams, spam calls, or identity theft.
Why shouldn’t I share my location on Facebook?
It exposes you to safety risks, including stalking or burglary if someone knows you’re away from home.
Can employers check my Facebook?
Yes. Many employers review social media before hiring or during employment.
Should I post my child’s school photos?
Avoid sharing identifiable details like uniforms, names, or locations.
Does deleting a post make it disappear forever?
Not always. Screenshots and cached versions can still exist online.
Final Thoughts
Facebook is a fantastic tool for connecting with people and building communities, but it’s also a space where privacy can vanish in seconds. In 2025, staying safe is not about quitting social media — it’s about being intentional with what you share.
When in doubt, keep personal details private, think twice before posting sensitive opinions, and remember: if you wouldn’t say it in a crowded room of strangers, it probably doesn’t belong on Facebook.
Here’s what not to share on Facebook
Never share your home physical address (geolocation):
We all know how Facebook and other social media platform status update works the moment you post your status on social media platform the geolocation get lockdown immediately.
Any anonymous user can use your location geolocation information to track you down and stalk you. They can collect your location data and publish it online.
Never give out your physical address or phone numbers on social media or facebook messenger text exchange as the data breach and hacking is too common these days.
Going on a Vacation or travel plans
The Facebook status update says “Just landed in Thailand and what a lovely view”. It’s not a good idea to share or announce to the public on Facebook when you’re planning to be out of the city and leaving home vacant. There are Criminals who are watching social networks like Facebook to figure out when they can target potential victims. Most people would prefer not to return home from that trip to find out that they’ve been robbed.
Learn more about Facebook post types and privacy settings.
Facebook has enabled privacy checkup so that you can choose your audience accordingly in 3 easy steps.
You can secure your account and data by following the above easy steps on Facebook.
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