I’ve spent most of my life being invisible and keeping my private life just that—private. I was a proud outlier, an anomaly by refusing to jump on the social media bandwagon.

A few years ago I finally relented, creating a Facebook page solely for the purpose of communicating with others in K9 rescue. Besides people in my rescue group, I had two friends on social media. I gave birth to both of them.

Mine was a world of pseudonyms and cheesy alter egos. I liked being an anonymous entity. It was a safe, comfortable place to be. I didn’t have to interact with anyone outside of my close circle of friends, nor was I subjected to the droning rhetoric of fragmented online conversations.

I believe that people are inherently good; however, even the nicest person can change when on social media. Most people are polite and good-natured, but embolden them from behind an electronic device and they can be downright nasty—even dangerous.

There is no shortage of Internet bullies skulking in dark chatrooms just waiting to pounce. I find many similarities between homegrown terrorists penning deadly manifestos from primitive cabins and people spewing hatred electronically; Internet trolls who take their self-loathing and anger out on anyone whom they disagree with.

And these folks have opinions on every subject. Just ask them.

I am a nobody. But when my small private life went public, people I never knew existed came marching out of the woodwork, many masked behind a veil of pretense. They posted tasteless comments and sent inappropriate photos. They messaged weird propositions.

If you wouldn’t say these things to my face, then certainly don’t say them on social media. As well, if it’s something that you wouldn’t share with your mom, your grandma, or your sister, then by all means—don’t share it with me.

How many times must I block Keanu Reeves Instagram impersonators? It was funny the first time. Now, it’s just annoying.

Do you need me to transfer ten-million dollars in cryptocurrency to a faraway bank? Sorry, dude. You’re barking up the wrong tree.

Are you a Nigerian Prince looking for a Princess to fund a venture capitalist telemarketing scheme? Well, your majesty, this princess didn’t just fall off the royal turnip truck.

Do you have a late-night hankering to send photos of your junk to a complete stranger? If you’re looking for the shock value, I am virtually unshockable. Not interested and certainly not impressed. FYI dirtbag: it’s also illegal.

I wrote this blog post while waiting for a flight. As I was typing, a young man seated next to me in the airport media center admitted that he’d been reading over my shoulder. He apologized for being intrusive, but said that the title caught his attention. We ended up having a lengthy conversation about how social media changes people.

Having just gone through a bad breakup, he mentioned that social media was the root cause and had become the bane of his existence. He lamented that his girlfriend spent all of her time on social media. She became paranoid and jealous, and was obsessed with who he was texting and why. As well, others that he thought he knew had created false personas to impress their many online “friends.”

In order to salvage his relationship, this young man recognized the importance of taking a deep breath and pushing away from social media. Unfortunately, his girlfriend did not.

I love technology. I believe that social media is a great tool for reaching out and connecting both personally and professionally. However, it also gives people the ability to peek into the windows of strangers, providing fuel for those with obsessive, voyeuristic tendencies.  I can understand how a person with no self-control could easily become fixated on the lives of others.

I try to be forthcoming without revealing too much personal information. But should you desire a glimpse into my mind-numbing private life, here are a few fun facts.

• What you see is what you get. I’m not high-maintenance, though I do clean up pretty well.
• I have no filters and I am unapologetically honest. I have an extensive cache of expletives that would make the most hardened individual blush.
• I do not high-five.
• When I was a teenager, I stole a truckload of bricks. Slowest police chase EVER.
• I once arrived at the wrong address for a baby shower. It was a wake. I sat in their living room for thirty-minutes with a gift on my lap.
• I will do anything for you—unless you cross me.
• Talking is my weapon of choice.

What is socially acceptable to put on social media?

How about being kind to one another. Have some respect. Embrace personal decorum. And remember, if you post anything on the world wide web, it’s gonna live forever.