Online Overshares: 32% Say They've Experienced 'Poster's Remorse'

Just because you can share more online doesn't mean you always should.

A survey by Retrevo of 1000 online individuals found that nearly a third of all respondents (32%) admit having posted something online that they regretted.

Over half of people under 25 (54%) said they had experienced second-doubts about something they shared online, while just 27% of people over 25 said they had. Nearly two-thirds of iPhone users (59%) said they had "poster's remorse."

Among all users who said they had regrets about posting information about themselves on the web, 13% they were able to remove it, 3% said it "ruined my marriage or relationship with someone," and 6% said it caused them problems at home or at work.

Read the full report here, or check out some of the most egregious examples of Twitter TMI-- tweets that shared much too much.

Quick Poll

Have you ever posted something about yourself online that you regretted?

Yes.

No.

Share your vote on Facebook so your friends can take this poll

Comments

[sprtakis69]

11:38 PM on 05/30/2010

I haven't posted anything I regret but I've regretfully read some of the posts my nieces and nephews post on their pages. I then turn around and e-mail them asking them if they really wanted to post such things on their pages for all (parents/grandparents) too see!

[sherifffruitfly]

11:56 AM on 05/18/2010

So 2/3 are lying?

[curiousasheck]

09:22 AM on 05/18/2010

I like telling people what they don't want to hear. It isn't politically correct. Why follow a crowd when it's possible to be different?

[curiousasheck]

09:21 AM on 05/18/2010

Don't do stupid things then. Think before you post if your not willing to pay the price.

[kiki1966]

09:08 AM on 05/18/2010

Following the commenter above, I would add: Never post a) anything you wouldn't say to that person in real life; b) anything that would upset your parents, spouse or children; and c) after drinking or while angry.

[Andre Roux]

08:11 AM on 05/18/2010

I haven't revealed anything that is not generally know however I do sometimes regret calling people out on their inane updates...

[kiki1966]

09:05 AM on 05/18/2010

Yeah, I've picked minor political arguments...to the point where I've had to log off before I blew a gasket. Not minor then, I guess.

[WiseLonghorn]

03:34 AM on 05/18/2010

Yeah...too much wine can make it easier to do lots of things.....

[Andre Roux]

08:11 AM on 05/18/2010

Too true!

[GCSocialMedia]

01:39 AM on 05/18/2010

Its not just on line, I have sent text's and regretted it - usually because I have sent it to the wrong person -

Ahh well we all make mistakes, that's life

[hubbahubba77]

11:45 PM on 05/17/2010

Oh well... Hopefully they'll learn a lesson from that.

[mamacat]

10:32 PM on 05/17/2010

The biggest regret of all is not to have lived well.

[kinogod]

11:18 PM on 05/17/2010

Love this

[lvogt]

10:26 PM on 05/17/2010

NEVER! put anything online you wouldn't put on a billboard in your home town and sign your name to.

[Stephen Ryan]

08:17 PM on 05/17/2010

There are entire websites dedicated to this phenomenon. Lamebook.com and failbooking.com come to mind. These cover the ridiculous and often incredibly stupid or insensitive things people say.