Most of us know someone with more than one Instagram account. People have private accounts and public accounts. The private accounts are also referred to as “Finsta” which means fake Instagram. Those are used to post pictures for their closest and most selected friends to see. 

Typically, these are the pictures, videos and captions that wouldn’t normally be posted on a regular account. People feel more comfortable expressing personal posts about themselves to close friends that they don’t want just anyone to know. By only accepting follow requests from the people they want looking at what is uploaded, users are able to post whatever they want and not have to worry about other opinions on it. Or so they think. 

Even if it’s filtered to private, it’s not actually private. What goes on the internet stays on the internet and can be accessed by nearly anyone. Just because there is an option to filter who gets to see what is posted, it doesn’t mean that person gets to choose who their “friends” show, or who screenshots it because they have no control over that. 

When posting something that others weren’t meant to see in the first place, consider why it is being posted it at all. Isn’t the whole purpose behind sharing something on social media to get others to see it? We are taking a step back from wanting everyone to see to only wanting a select few. 

People may be trying to express themselves and open up, but they must realize that there are consequences once “share” is tapped. It could affect relationships between friends, family, at work and the reputation of the one posting it.