Not every viral post is sweet—sometimes, it comes with stones you didn’t expect.
Social media has turned many of us into content creators, sharing snapshots of our lives for likes, comments, and shares.
From #OOTD selfies in front of the living room mirror to full-blown home tours on TikTok, doing a #Getreadywithme videos with hubby or wifey, it’s common for people to open up their private spaces for public consumption. But as we chase the next viral moment, are we unknowingly putting ourselves and our homes in danger?
Serving Jollof with Stones
Last month, I saw a video of a young influencer, Blessing , proudly showing off her newly furnished apartment in Lekki. She gave a full tour—showing every corner, from the balcony view to the designer furniture in her living room. “God did it,” she captioned the video, with praise emoji and hashtags like #Blessed and #BigGirlMoves.
At first, the post seemed harmless—just another display of success. But a week later, Blessing shared another post, this time in tears. She’d been robbed. Strangers broke into her home while she was out, stealing valuables worth millions. Police investigations revealed that the thieves had pieced together information from her video, including the layout of her apartment and her building’s location.
Blessing’s story is a reminder that not everything sweet is safe. Like finding stones in your Jollof rice, exposing your home for content can bring dangers you never anticipated. As stones crack your teeth when bitten, so can exposing too much online cracks you safety.
The Dangers of Sharing Too Much
Security Risks
When you share videos or photos of your home, you’re giving strangers an insider’s view of your private space. Details like your address, neighbourhood landmarks, or even the times you’re usually out can be pieced together by malicious individuals. And just one day, your house might just welcome and unwanted guests.
Target for Robberies or Fraud
Publicly displaying wealth—whether it’s a new car in your driveway or expensive gadgets in your room—can make you a target for thieves or scammers, even kidnappers. Beware!
Loss of Privacy
Once something is online, it’s no longer fully yours. Your home, once a safe haven, becomes a public stage for strangers to judge, comment on, or even mock. Imagine taking the whole world into your bedroom, standing in your undies and explaining to them the most intimate details of your life?
Unwanted Attention
Not all followers have good intentions. Sharing personal spaces might attract obsessive fans, stalkers, or people who want to exploit your openness. Creepy predators and rapists can find that #Aday in my life video a perfect tool to targeting their next victims.
Why Do We Do It?
In the quest for online clout, many people forget the boundaries between public and private. Social media rewards oversharing with likes, followers, and sometimes even brand deals. But at what cost?
A friend of mine once explained it this way: “If you’re not showing your achievements, are you really achieving?” It’s a mind-set driven by FOMO and the pressure to prove your worth online. Unfortunately, this often leads to oversharing and unnecessary risks.
If not, why does the world need to know how you bathe with you spouse, how your bedroom looks like, what your bathroom looks like, what you purchase, how much you spend in a day or what personal/ freaky hobbies you and babe do that literally only you and God should know?
Tips for Serving Safe Jollof
Here’s how to share content while protecting your privacy and safety:
Blur or Avoid Identifiable Details
If you’re sharing photos or videos, avoid showing house numbers, street signs, or easily recognizable landmarks near your home.
Delay Your Posts
Don’t share your location or current activities in real time. Post your content after you’ve left the area to avoid being tracked.
Keep Valuables Off Camera
Avoid showing expensive items like jewellery, electronics, or luxury furniture in your posts. There’s no need to advertise your assets. You achieve, enjoy and don’t flex, haters will watch and target.
Limit Your Audience
Use privacy settings to control who sees your content. Not everything needs to be public.
Be Selective About What You Share
Before posting, ask yourself: “Do I really need to share this? Could it expose me or my family to unnecessary risks?” If celebrities flee from paparazzi like plagues, why must you attract attention, most times who are criminals?
A Word of Caution
Social media has blurred the lines between public and private life, but it’s important to remember that not everyone watching your content has good intentions. While it’s fun to share your wins and milestones, protecting your safety and privacy should always come first.
So, the next time you’re tempted to post a home tour or show off a new purchase, think twice. Some Jollof may look sweet, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. After all, no amount of likes or views is worth your peace of mind.
Stay safe, stay smart, and serve your Jollof without the stones.
[Edited by Muhammad Sal]
