According to Yettel’s recent national research[1], nearly all Hungarians aged 18-69 use some kind of social media application, and two-thirds of them do not change their habits during the holidays either. Seven out of ten people share Christmas-related content on social media – most of them on their Facebook profile – and almost half (48%) of those who do so post in the days leading up to Christmas. Christmas Eve is the least active day (31%), but four in ten users are active on 25 and 26 December. Two thirds of social media users agree that there can be dangers in sharing too much content around the holidays. Yettel’s expert now offers concrete advice on how to post responsibly.
1. Control who can see your content
You need to be aware that “once you put something on the internet, it stays there”. This is important to remember when disclosing personal information and you also have to decide with whom you share moments from your everyday life. Social media platforms allow you to control who can see the content you share. Depending on the platform, you can make your profile completely private, or create specific lists of your friends and family, and decide who can see each piece of content. You should check these settings separately in each application.
2. Always ask the person in the picture for permission
Dad, mum, kids, grandparents – you’ve probably seen a typical family portrait online many times before. Not everyone is happy to see a photo of them on the internet, so when sharing a photo on any platform, always ask the people in the photo for permission. This also applies to children: parents and relatives often make this decision for young people, which can lead to unpleasant situations years later. If it is someone else’s child, make sure you ask the parents for permission. It’s not just an act of politeness, it also protects their privacy. It can upset people if their colleagues or strangers see their intimate moments of celebration.
“In addition, digital photos store a lot of so-called metadata, such as the device used to take the photo or its exact location. So when you post a photo, you are not only revealing where you are or have been, but also the location of the people in the photo. Most social media sites remove metadata, but that doesn’t mean you can post without thinking, and it’s worth considering whether you should, for example, say where the photo was taken,” says Balázs Koren.
3. Avoid uploading photos of minors, if possible
While it’s easy to ask adults for permission to post content, children don’t have that choice, and they can be the most vulnerable, not only from having their personal information exposed, but also from having a photo or video that could even be the subject of future bullying.
“Everyone has different customs at Christmas, for example some people dress up, others don’t. Children will quickly recognise this, and a seemingly small difference like this can lead to bullying. Another issue could be who got what present. We can protect not only our children but also others from being picked on by keeping this information off social media,” says the expert, who has insight into children’s media use habits as a teacher and father. If you still want to post a happy moment with your family, make sure you only share it with groups that include your family and close friends, but it’s also a good idea to take photos of your children without their faces fully visible.
4. Pay attention to detail
Posting content from your home is like letting someone in. Do you really want strangers to see your living room, your valuables, or be able to tell where you live from a photo of your garden? A photo or video can reveal a lot about your life and your financial situation, so think carefully about the background of the photo, whether it contains something of value or an awkward family moment that could lead to conflict later.
5. Don’t share when you’re going away
Many people travel during the holidays, whether to visit relatives in the countryside or to travel abroad, and Yettel’s research shows that some people also travel between Christmas and New Year. Nearly half of Hungarians (44%) plan to visit friends or family, 9% will go on a holiday within the country and 3% will travel abroad. It’s natural to want to share your experiences and family gatherings with others, but it’s also a time to be on your guard. It may not be realistic to never post about these moments as they happen, but it’s worth considering whether you really want the world to know when you leave your home unattended.
And remember, to make your celebration truly carefree, it’s a good idea to put social media aside for a while, focus on each other, and leave content sharing for later.
[1] The survey was conducted on a sample of 1,000 people between 18 and 25 October 2023. The sample is representative of Hungary’s population aged 18-69 by gender, age, region and type of settlement. (Impetus research)