Navigating Personal Boundaries in the Digital Age
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Understanding Personal Boundaries in Online Spaces
In the realm of social networking, we often find ourselves feeling an unexpected closeness to others. For instance, through our exchanges on Medium, I sometimes feel like I know a fellow writer well enough to offer personal advice about her life. It’s a curious phenomenon, isn’t it? I sincerely apologize if I’ve ever made that mistake!
This sentiment raises an important question: haven’t social networks been promoting the idea that our online interactions transcend mere acquaintance, transforming them into genuine friendships?
Having been part of Medium for around three and a half months now, I realize I’ve yet to meet any of you in person. Just consider how much correspondence we might have exchanged—perhaps five pages, three, or even less. Your warm and thoughtful comments have been a source of comfort, especially after experiencing years of solitude (my social circle has significantly dwindled since my 20s). I truly appreciate your kindness and empathize with your challenges.
While I believe I’ve gained some insight into your lives through your writing, it’s crucial to acknowledge that this doesn’t equate to knowing everything about one another.
Reflecting on my own writing journey, I recognize that I have varied moods, and not all of them are conveyed in a single piece. My themes and focus evolve with time and personal experiences. So, what gives me the right to presume that I’ve fully understood my peers’ innermost thoughts from just a few of their writings?
What I have accessed is the essence of what they chose to express during that particular moment. However, I don’t possess the key to their entire psyche.
The Nature of Comments and Interactions
We’ve all encountered situations where a comment on an older piece feels overly enthusiastic, prompting us to think, “Oh right, that’s what I was focused on back then.” Meanwhile, our interests have shifted to new topics.
Speaking of comments, I’ve even received responses on my comments that indicate the writer has momentarily forgotten who they’re addressing. It’s understandable; with the volume of comments to manage, it’s easy to slip into “Automatic Response Mode.”
This brings us to the topic of Claps. Many of you have voiced dissatisfaction with receiving Claps without accompanying comments. What’s the expectation here?
Personally, I Clap when I appreciate a piece, but sometimes I genuinely don’t have anything further to add. I understand that comments might yield more benefits, but I hesitate to leave a comment that lacks substance—akin to those generic high school yearbook notes that ultimately feel like wasted effort. I aim for my comments to hold value!
Ultimately, I want my friends and family on Medium to know that I apologize if I’ve ever crossed a boundary in my eagerness to connect. I hope our relationships can deepen authentically as we continue this journey together.
The first video, "How to Define Your Social Media Boundaries," offers insights into establishing healthy limits in online interactions, emphasizing the importance of personal space in digital communication.
The second video, "Privacy as Interpersonal Boundary Regulation in the Context of Social Network Services," discusses how privacy considerations play a vital role in managing interpersonal boundaries within social networks.