With the popularization of social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, people seem to have forgotten a core element that is crucial to everyone’s development: shame.

Unpopular opinion: everyone needs a little embarrassment in their lives. While it’s not the most pleasant sensation, it stops them from doing questionable things in the future.

I understand no one is perfect, and everyone can bond over silly embarrassing situations sometimes. However, I also recognize the importance as a society of drawing boundaries and knowing what isn’t acceptable to post online. “Influencers” have that name for a reason, and everything posted online can affect what someone else thinks.

Unfortunately, social media apps have made people entirely too comfortable sharing things that should be kept to themselves. TikTok, for example, has become an outlet for people to use as an “online diary.” It was fun and quirky at first but has slowly transitioned from silly to disturbing.

I understand wanting to lessen feelings of shame that surround certain topics, but where’s the decorum?

This needs to stop.

Now I’m not suggesting we start publicly shaming people like it’s the 1800’s, but it shouldn’t be normal for people to share information about their poop schedule for millions of viewers online. When did we cross the line?

This research article conducted by Psychology Today states that embarrassment, while being an unenjoyable state, is necessary to prevent one from repeating the same mistakes. In other words, it’d keep everyone from showcasing their utter foolishness.

Something crucial that also comes with embarrassment is accountability. No one knows how to take up for their half-witted actions because they don’t fear the consequences. I think this is primarily due to social media, and how normalized oversharing has become.

It’s in the hands of us to stop the epidemic of shame-free internet use before it’s too late. Think before you type.