We all make mistakes sometimes, and it’s easy to accidentally post something on Facebook that you meant to share privately or not at all. Whether it’s an embarrassing photo, an offensive joke, or confidential work information, accidentally sharing the wrong thing on social media can be mortifying. The good news is that in most cases, you can take steps to minimize the damage.
Assess the situation
First, don’t panic. Take a breath and evaluate what exactly you shared and with whom before taking action. Consider the following:
- What exactly did you post? Was it a photo, video, text post, or comment? The more details you can remember, the better.
- Who could see the post? Did you share it publicly, with friends only, or in a private group? This will affect how widely it spread.
- When did you share it? The longer it’s been up, the more people may have already seen it.
- Why is the post problematic? Is it offensive, inappropriate, or revealing confidential information? Understanding this will help guide your next steps.
Knowing the specifics of the post and who may have seen it will allow you to determine the best way to get it removed or contained.
Check privacy settings
The next step is to check your post’s privacy settings, if applicable. For example, if you shared a photo publicly that you meant to send as a private message, you may be able to change the audience after the fact to limit visibility. Here’s how:
- Go to the post and click the three dots in the upper right corner.
- Select “Edit privacy” or “Edit audience.”
- Change the setting from Public to Friends or Only me to limit who can view it.
Updating the privacy settings can instantly put your content behind a privacy wall and prevent it from being seen more widely. This works best for recent posts before they’ve been seen or shared by many people.
Delete the post
If the content you shared is inappropriate, offensive, or revealing private information, deleting it quickly is likely your best option. Here’s how to delete a post on Facebook:
- Go to the post you want to delete and click the three dots in the upper corner.
- Select “Delete post” and confirm.
- The post will be removed from Facebook immediately.
Remember that deleting only affects your visibility of the post – anyone it was shared with may still have access to the content. But removing it from public view can help minimize damage.
Use the Activity Log
Facebook’s Activity Log allows you to see a history of your posts and interactions. You can use it to double check what you’ve shared and look for any issues. To view your log:
- Click the arrow in the top right corner of Facebook.
- Go to “Settings & Privacy” then “Settings.”
- Click “Your Facebook Information” then “View your activity log.”
Scan through your recent activity for any posts you may need to delete or update. You can also download your information for offline reference.
Limit views and shares
If you can’t fully remove content for some reason, you may still be able to limit how visible and shareable it is. Here are some options:
Disable link sharing
If you shared a link you now want to hide, you can disable public reshares to stop it spreading further:
- Go to the post with the link and click the three dots.
- Select “Turn off sharing” to prevent others from sharing it.
This keeps the post visible to whomever you originally shared it with but stops it being reshared more widely.
Report as spam
Reporting your own post as spam can sometimes help restrict visibility without fully deleting it. To do this:
- Go to the problem post and click the three dots.
- Select “Report post” then choose “It’s spam.”
Facebook may flag the post and make it visible only to you until you delete it. This isn’t guaranteed but can help reduce views in the meantime.
Turn off notifications
If your post is getting lots of comments or shares that you want to ignore, turning off notifications can help:
- Go to the post and click the three dots.
- Select “Turn off notifications.”
This stops you getting notified of any new activity on that post so you don’t have to keep thinking about it.
Restrict old posts
For older posts you want to limit visibility of, you can:
- Change the audience to Only Me so only you can see it.
- Click the three dots and select “Hide from Timeline” to remove it from your profile.
This helps keep old posts private even if you can’t fully delete them.
Apologize and follow up
Once you’ve taken steps to remove or limit access to the improper content, it’s a good idea to follow up with anyone it may have affected. Here are some tips:
Apologize quickly
If you shared something offensive or inappropriate, a prompt, sincere apology to anyone impacted goes a long way. Being proactive shows you understand the mistake and regret it.
Explain it was an accident
Making it clear the post was shared accidentally and not to cause harm can help heal relationships.
Notify people you’ve deleted it
Follow up to let any impacted people know you’ve deleted or hidden the post and taken steps to contain it.
Learn from the experience
Reflect on how the accident occurred so you can adjust your processes or habits to prevent repeats.
Taking responsibility for accidental shares and being transparent in addressing them is key to moving forward.
Change account settings
To help avoid similar slip-ups in the future, tighten up your Facebook account settings and procedures. Here are some ideas:
Review privacy settings
Double check whom your posts are visible to by default under “Privacy Settings.” Choose friends instead of public for more control.
Turn on review
Enable “Review Posts” under Settings so you have to approve posts before they go live, adding a chance to catch mistakes.
Limit old posts
Change past posts to Friends or Only Me to limit legacy content. You can do this under “Limit Past Posts” in Settings.
Create posting checklists
Develop processes requiring you to double check content before sharing to be more thoughtful. For example, review for offensive language, privacy concerns, or unintended meanings.
Avoid venting
Venting frustration or anger online often backfires. Take time to cool down and think twice before posting.
Consider leave of absence
If you need a break from social media, deactivating your account for a while can help reset boundaries and habits.
Making your Facebook settings more restrictive provides safeguards against accidental shares happening again.
Monitor responses
Keep an eye on any responses to your accidental post, even if you’ve deleted it. If negative reactions spread, you may need to do more damage control by:
- Responding professionally to critical comments
- Sending follow up apologies or updates
- Reporting bullying or harassment
Remaining engaged, open, and accountable demonstrates you want to make things right.
Consult company policy
If your Facebook mistake involved sharing confidential work information, inappropriate workplace content, or anything that could get you in trouble professionally, consider these tips:
Review social media guidelines
Consult your employee handbook or codes of conduct for policies on proper social media use to understand the rules you may have broken.
Talk to HR
Speaking with a human resources representative allows you to take accountability and demonstrate you want to correct the situation.
Be proactive
Getting ahead of the issue by self-reporting shows awareness and responsibility.
Emphasize it was an accident
Explaining it was an unintentional mistake and outlining remedies you’ve taken helps mitigate damage.
Following company protocols provides official channels for addressing the workplace impacts of accidental Facebook shares.
Learn from mistakes
Try looking at an accidental Facebook share as a lesson for being more careful and mindful online. Here are some takeaways:
- Slow down: don’t post in haste or anger.
- Review content before sharing.
- Tighten up privacy settings.
- Know employer social media policies.
- Stick to positive, uncontroversial topics.
- Think about consequences before posting.
Reflect on what went wrong
Analyze the factors that led to the mistake so you can adjust your practices.
Identify triggers
Notice when you’re most likely to overshare, like when drinking, tired or emotional.
Limit riskier content
Be extra cautious about sharing confidential, offensive or highly personal updates.
Letting the experience drive positive social media changes makes the mistake meaningful.
Consider other remedies
If your accidental share has caused significant professional or personal harm, you may need to pursue additional solutions like:
Legal action
Consulting a lawyer regarding defamation, privacy violations or discrimination issues.
Formal apologies
Issuing formal written or verbal apologies to those seriously impacted.
Professional sanctions
Accepting disciplinary action from your employer in accordance with policies.
Counseling
Seeking help from a counselor or therapist to manage mental health impacts like anxiety or depression.
Severe cases may call for more involved remedies coordinated with advisors, employers, therapists or lawyers.
Prevent future mistakes
Learn from this slip-up by implementing ongoing habits to prevent repeat accidental shares, like:
Enabling post review
Turn on post review settings forcing you to double check content.
Creating posting checklists
Develop smart posting procedures you consistently follow before sharing.
| Posting Checklist | Examples |
|---|---|
| Review content for unintended meanings | – Could be misinterpreted negatively? |
| Check for privacy concerns | – Sharing confidential info? |
| Watch language | – Offensive words or jokes? |
| Verify intended audience | – Public, friends, or private message? |
| Consider appropriateness | – Aligns with my brand? |
Practicing self-control
Exercising restraint when angry, impulsive, tired or intoxicated.
Seeking advice
Asking a trusted friend to review content if you’re unsure.
Taking Facebook breaks
Stepping back periodically to reset your relationship with social media.
Making mindfulness part of your regular sharing habits reduces mistakes.
Conclusion
Accidentally sharing posts on Facebook happens, but isn’t the end of the world. By taking swift action to remove inappropriate content, apologizing, tightening your settings, learning from the mistake, and implementing ongoing safeguards, you can mitigate damage, address any consequences, and avoid repeats in the future. A slip-up does not need to define you – it can make you a more thoughtful, responsible social media user instead.