Things Better Left Unsaid
Growing up, parents often warned kids against discussing certain topics in public. It wasn't just about manners; it was about protection. They taught us to avoid talking about religion, politics, gossip, or personal family matters like money, jobs, or health. The goal was simple: keep private details away from people who could use them against you.
That wisdom has largely been lost today. Social media rewards constant sharing and approval-seeking, pushing many into compulsive oversharing. The consequences are escalating fast, from online cancellation to corporate data breaches to real physical danger. What you post publicly can seriously harm you, so we all need to think carefully about what we reveal.
Here are some key examples where silence really is golden.
Owning Cryptocurrency
Fifteen years ago, people were getting 5 bitcoin just for solving a CAPTCHA, and almost no one took it seriously. Today, cryptocurrency is worth billions to trillions of dollars. It is real money.
A subset of influencers love showing off their crypto success online. Unfortunately, that bragging has given rise to a terrifying trend called "Crypto Kidnappings." You can learn more about real-world cases at https://www.crisis24.com/articles/crypto-kidnappings-the-rise-of-violent-crime-in-the-age-of-digital-wealth.
Criminals monitor these posts, use open-source intelligence (OSINT) techniques to find the person’s home or lure them somewhere quiet, then take them hostage and force transfers to wallets the attackers control. These situations frequently turn deadly.
If you own any cryptocurrency, never talk about it publicly. Remember the rule from Fight Club: The first rule of crypto is you do not talk about crypto. The second rule of crypto is you DO NOT talk about crypto.
For better security overall, follow the practical security advice from Ethereum.org (it applies to most cryptocurrencies) at https://ethereum.org/security/.
Showing Off Wealth Online
Authorities often warn against leaving expensive product boxes visible in your trash because it signals you have valuables. Posting the digital version of those boxes online is just as dangerous.
Sharing big purchases, salary details, luxury watches, cars, or lavish trips tells criminals exactly who to target. Even the casual mention in the movie "Home Alone" about flying 15 family members to Paris for Christmas was enough to mark the house for burglary. Online, algorithms make that information travel even farther and faster.
Bragging about money can lead directly to burglary, SIM-swap attacks, or elaborate "pig-butchering" investment scams. Teach kids the same rule: never tell classmates or post that "my parents are rich" or show off expensive gifts. A single childish boast can put your whole family at risk.
Be proud of your success, just keep it private.
Announcing Vacations or Live Location Updates
Posting "Live from London!" or checking in at the airport tells burglars your house is empty right now. Even telling acquaintances "We’re gone for two weeks" can spread through gossip or mutual connections.
In the past, the safe answer to "Any vacation plans?" was always "Nothing big" or "Just a staycation," with no dates attached. Out-of-office replies stayed vague too.
To make the house look occupied, we use private home automation, have trusted people check on it, and redirect all mail to a private mailbox (PMB).
Once you’re back, share photos privately with family and close friends using secure tools like Ente Photos or Signal Messenger.
Posting Photos & Details About Children (or Vulnerable Family Members)
Parents naturally want to share proud moments, but "sharenting" has a dark side most people never consider.
School uniforms, sports jerseys, birthday photos, or captions like "First day at XYZ Elementary!" give predators and identity thieves everything they need: the child’s name, age, school, and routine. Image metadata often contains exact GPS coordinates. These posts are also prime material for deepfakes and AI manipulation. Even casual in-person stories told to the wrong stranger can leak sensitive details.
Privacy expert Naomi Brockwell explains the risks in depth in her video "Think Before You Share": https://www.nbtv.media/episodes/think-before-you-share. All parents should watch it before their next post.
Speakerphone Conversations in Public
No one knows exactly when it became normal, but it is now everywhere: people having loud, deeply personal phone calls on speaker in cafes, trains, airports, and grocery lines. They discuss business strategies, medical diagnoses, relationship drama, or family crises at full volume, surrounded by strangers.
In thirty seconds the entire waiting room learns your salary negotiation, your divorce details, or your child’s behavioral issues, information you would never hand to someone directly, yet you are broadcasting it to dozens of people who now possess it.
It is not only inconsiderate; it is a serious privacy leak. Anyone nearby can record, take notes, or simply remember what they heard and use it later.
The fix is straightforward: hold the phone to your ear, use wired or wireless headphones, step outside, or wait until you are truly alone. Keep private conversations private. Everyone around you will thank you, and so will your future self.
A Final Word: Reclaim the Power of Silence
The old rules your grandparents followed were never just about being "polite." They were street-smart survival tactics in a world where loose talk could cost you money, reputation, or worse. Today that world is back, only now the audience is millions of strangers, algorithms, criminals, and artificial intelligence, all listening 24/7.
Every detail you broadcast (how much crypto you hold, where your kid goes to school, that you're sipping cocktails in Bali while your house sits empty, or the medical drama you're yelling about on speakerphone) is a breadcrumb. Alone it seems harmless. Collected, connected, and weaponized, it can ruin finances, reputations, relationships, or lives.
You cannot un-say something once it's out there. You cannot un-hear it for the person sitting next to you on the train. And you certainly cannot un-know it for the predator, scammer, or burglar who just added you to their list.
So bring back the old discipline. Ask yourself before every post, story, check-in, or loud call: "Does the world need to know this right now?" If the honest answer is no, then don't say it. Don't type it. Don't show it.
Your privacy is one of the last things you fully control. Treat it like the valuable asset it is. Some things truly are better left unsaid. Your safety, your family's safety, and your peace of mind depend on it.
Remember: We may not have anything to hide, but everything to protect.
