7 rules for milspouses to stay savvy on social media

Have you seen the hilarious memes surrounding military spouses and social media? It's a wild frontier, y'all. Military spouses are not bound by the same standards as their service members, yet there are definitely some guidelines that should steer any digital footprint -- and we're not just talking OPSEC. Here are 7 rules to keep milspouses savvy on social:

Just because you aren’t employed…

Relaxing standards when you're not working feels good. But for a community who finds themselves walking in and out of careers, we're suggesting not going full-blown IDGAF online. The digital dirt you're kicking up doesn't settle in the virtual world. Instead, every sassy comment or a drunken rant you go on is all there for your future employer to find. If what you're about to type would likely get you fired if you were employed, opt for yelling into a pillow instead.

Quit pulling faux or metaphorical rank on each other

In case you haven't heard, your service member's rank does not carry over to you. Nothing is more annoying or quite frankly detrimental to the spouse community than when the perfume you're wearing stinks of superiority. Sharing help, tips, insight and posting questions online should be met with equality, not discrimination or judgment. So be nice.

Oversharing is emotional vomit

It's amazing what the digital world has done for military friendships and connectivity, but it's not (always) the right space to show everyone your private stash of special. Spouses need to use online pages for their intended purpose, and that purpose only. Don't divulge your marital issues on a "for sale or free" page. Instead, ask for local run chapter pages of organizations like InDependent, a dedicated space for overall spouse wellness and connection.

Dirty laundry goes in the washer, not on the internet

What's the easiest way to spot a spouse going through a life change or marital issue? They go from cardigan selfies to bikini shots real quick. We're hoping for all of humanity that decorum isn't dead and everyone ready to step it up in a rough patch would have first put that amount of energy into saving their marriages.

Stop telling hackers all of your information

How gullible do you have to be to not realize that the "list your last 5 hometowns in order, or cars or pets names" isn't a total scam? Stop sharing it. We're lucky enough to have six street names and five possible cities to use for a password that might actually make it difficult to guess. Why spoil it by just divulging all of that with the world?

Make social media work in your favor

Scrolling isn't all bad, in fact, it could lead to your next career. Building up a network of potential leads, resources and communities can work in your favor if you play your cards right. If you've followed suggestion number one, your social profile becomes a bit resume-like in the best way. Researching the major players in your next area before you move and "showing up" as who you want the world to see you as might just catch the eye of your next boss.

Keep pages separate

What's more annoying than your online friend going from zero to MLM salesman of the year? Nothing, nothing is more annoying. Take it from someone who enjoyed one or six careers in their life and keep social media pages consistent or make a new one. You can't go from daily donut love to a fitness "expert" in the blink of an eye. Authenticity takes time, so take the time to consider if this next stage is here to stay, or would be better suited as a group or subpage.