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Let's own up to it: Social media is an addictive part of our everyday lives. In fact, habits like flipping through Facebook or Instagram have become almost second nature -- 40 percent of Americans even admit to checking their smartphones while on the toilet. The problem with living simultaneously in both the digital world and reality? Sometimes we end up sharing way more than we realize.
Automatic sharing features on some social networking sites (ahem, Facebook) let you publicize your activities without having to hit a "share" button. It can be pretty convenient, until the day comes when you forget you've elected to use these particular features.
We've gathered together a list of pointers in the slideshow below, highlighting the information you may inadvertently give away on the Internet every day. Whether it's unknowingly tagging yourself in specific locations, or embarrassingly stalking your crush on LinkedIn.
Have you ever accidentally shared information on the web? Sound off in the comments section below, or Tweet us @HuffPostTech. Then, read more about the 9 ways you can get kicked off Facebook, or flip through 15 annoying tweets we never want to see again.
Without further ado, here are the 7 things we forget we're doing online each day:
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FourSquare was designed to show the world your location -- but sometimes photo-sharing app Instagram inadvertently gives us away. In fact, we're so accustomed to snapping "artsy" pics of puppies and salads that it's possible we're unintentionally sharing our whereabouts, particularly if the photos aren't categorized as "private." So if you call out of work sick, make sure you don't accidentally post a picture of yourself relaxing at the local beach. Or, to minimize unwanted attention, go to your Instagram "Options" page and select the "Photos Are Private" button.
For many years, we were able to read Facebook messages at our leisure -- and then promptly ignore them. Now, after a Facebook update this summer, users can see when someone has read a chat or message they've sent. So if you want to avoid the awkward realization you've ignored someone, type a message back, don't open the message to begin with, or use this Chat Undected extension to regain your excuse for not responding.
OkCupid and LinkedIn are used for notably different purposes, but these social networking sites share a (potentially embarrassing) feature. Both platforms show who has viewed your profile and when you're checking out someone else's, making "cyber stalking" a not-so-anonymous act. In order to privately dig into another person's information, both websites offer memberships, which will cost you a few extra bucks a month. But then, of course, you'll be able to check out as many profiles as you want, without ever being detected. Creepy? No, we find it more... practical.
Everyday we might read a few news articles online, "Like" a slew of photos on Instagram or listen to a couple tunes via Spotify. All of the above activities now have "frictionless Facebook apps," or apps that automatically post activities to your Facebook profile without the use of a manual "share" button. Every app has different preferences, so be sure to read the details of what you're allowing Facebook to publish. We know for a fact that nothing is worse than accidentally publishing a video titled "ToPLeSs CHiCkS" to your profile, or telling the world that you read a heinously embarrassing "news" article about some celeb's sideboob.
Sometimes we want people to know our location. But have you ever forgotten to turn off Twitter's geo-tweeting feature, which specifies your exact location, only to find you've been leaving a digital footprint for all the world to see? Be weary of oversharing information. Twitter is an open website, so anyone can Google your name to find your Twitter handle. If you want to limit who can see your profile, go to Twitter's "Settings" page and check the "Protect my Tweets" box, or turn the location feature off (seen in the image to the left).
Occasionally, companies will offer customers rewards for "Liking" their brand on Facebook. You might be a sucker for incentives, but don't forget -- once you "Like" an organization's Page, you'll receive corporate updates that have the potential to litter your News Feed. So "Like" accordingly!
When was the last time you checked you're "Other" Messages on Facebook? This hidden folder displayed in the top left corner of the Messages screen holds posts from people you're not connected with on Facebook. But who remember to look there? Not us... The same rings true for Direct Messages on Twitter, or InMail on LinkedIn. While these modes of communication can be awesome resources... sometimes we forget they exist.
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