The phenomenon of oversharing on social media —the tendency to share too much private life— has grown significantly, driven by the search for empathy, validation, and digital support. Posts that were once private, such as diaries or intimate conversations, are now exposed to millions via TikTok videos, X threads, or Instagram posts.

Psychological insights and motivations:

• Digital validation (likes, comments) activates reward circuits in the brain, reinforcing the habit of sharing intense emotions.
• Social support from empathetic responses provides a sense of community and containment, especially during personal crises.
• The cathartic effect: expressing emotions via text or video helps organize thoughts and cope with feelings, similar to a diary but with real-time feedback.

Risks of oversharing:

• Exposure to criticism, ridicule, or threats, even after deleting content.
• Social comparison and pressure to show vulnerability as a measure of authenticity.
• Dependence on external approval, which can increase anxiety and feelings of inadequacy.
• Impact on minors (sharenting), exposing children without consent and affecting their self-esteem and privacy.

Emotional privacy and self-care:

• Setting clear boundaries on what is shared protects self-esteem and mental health.
• Using privacy tools on social media and maintaining offline safe spaces (family, friends, professionals) helps balance emotional connection and personal protection.
• Expressing oneself through diaries, voice notes, or art allows processing emotions without the risks of oversharing.

In conclusion, sharing can provide validation, support, and catharsis, but it also carries risks of anxiety and long-term vulnerability. Preserving emotional privacy is a conscious form of self-care in a digital environment that rewards overexposure.

Reference:
Serrano León, O. (2025). “Esta es mi vida: Psychological insights and risks of oversharing on social media”. Computer Hoy, Issue 708, pp. 68–69.