Psychology says these 8 social media behaviors instantly make you look low class

Have you ever scrolled through social media and instantly formed an opinion about someone based on a single post or comment?

I was having coffee with an old colleague from my finance days last week when she mentioned unfollowing someone we both knew. "I just couldn't handle the constant oversharing anymore," she said. "Every argument with her boyfriend, every minor inconvenience at work. It was exhausting."

This got me thinking about how our social media behavior shapes others' perceptions of us in ways we might not even realize. After diving into the research, I discovered that psychology has quite a bit to say about which online behaviors instantly signal low class behavior, and trust me, some of these might surprise you.

1. Oversharing personal drama

We all know that person who treats Facebook like their personal diary, right? Every fight with their partner, every workplace grievance, every family feud gets aired out for hundreds of strangers to see.

Research published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking shows that excessive personal disclosure on social media is often linked to lower self-control and higher levels of anxiety. When you constantly broadcast your problems, you're essentially telling the world that you lack the emotional regulation to handle life's challenges privately.

I learned this lesson the hard way during my career transition. After leaving finance to pursue writing, I felt tempted to vent online about the challenges I faced. But watching how others responded to constant complainers on my feed made me realize that keeping some struggles private actually commands more respect.

2. Posting vague, attention-seeking statuses

"Some people just don't deserve loyalty..."
"I can't believe this is happening to me right now..."
"Karma will get you..."

Sound familiar? These cryptic posts that beg for someone to ask "What's wrong?" are what researchers call vaguebooking. They're the digital equivalent of sighing loudly in a room until someone asks if you're okay.

When you post like this, you're essentially manipulating others into giving you attention. People see right through it, and it makes you look emotionally immature.

If something's genuinely bothering you, reach out to a close friend directly. Your social media feed isn't your therapist.

3. Engaging in public arguments

Nothing screams "I lack self-control" quite like getting into heated debates in the comments section. Whether it's political arguments, personal attacks, or just being generally combative online, this behavior instantly damages your reputation.

According to research, people who frequently engage in online conflicts are perceived as less agreeable and less emotionally stable. Every time you take the bait and argue with strangers online, you're showing everyone that you can't regulate your emotions or pick your battles wisely.

I've watched former colleagues destroy professional relationships over Facebook arguments about politics. Was being "right" worth losing respect and opportunities? Never.

4. Humble-bragging constantly

"Ugh, another business class upgrade. I just wanted to sleep in economy!"
"So exhausted from all these job interviews at top companies..."
"My biggest problem is deciding between these two amazing opportunities..."

Humble-bragging is attempting to disguise boasting as complaining or self-deprecation. And according to psychologists, it actually makes you less likeable than straightforward bragging because it comes across as insincere.

Just own your achievements without the false modesty. People respect authenticity far more than these transparent attempts to seem humble while showing off.

5. Posting excessively filtered or edited photos

We all want to look our best in photos, but when every single image is so heavily filtered that you're unrecognizable in person, it sends a clear message: you're deeply insecure about who you really are.

During my years analyzing financial behavior, I noticed something interesting. The clients who were most financially secure rarely felt the need to flaunt wealth. Similarly, people who are genuinely confident don't need to hide behind layers of digital enhancement. Authenticity always wins in the long run.

6. Oversharing about expensive purchases

Posting every designer bag, expensive dinner, or luxury vacation might seem like you're celebrating success, but psychology suggests otherwise.

Research shows that people who constantly display material possessions on social media often have lower self-esteem and are seeking external validation.

Real wealth whispers; it doesn't scream. The truly successful people I worked with in finance rarely felt compelled to broadcast their purchases. They understood that constantly showing off possessions makes you look like you're trying too hard to prove something.

7. Spreading gossip or calling people out publicly

Using your social media platform to shame others, share screenshots of private conversations, or spread rumors about people is perhaps the quickest way to lose respect.

When you publicly call someone out or share gossip, you're showing everyone that you can't be trusted with private information. People will wonder what you might say about them when they're not around. This behavior screams emotional immaturity and poor judgment.

I've seen careers ruined by people who thought they were being clever by exposing others online. The damage to their own reputation was always far worse than whatever point they were trying to make.

8. Constantly complaining without offering solutions

Your feed shouldn't be an endless stream of complaints about traffic, weather, customer service, or how unfair life is.

Chronic complaining without ever offering solutions or positive perspectives makes you look like someone who lacks resilience and problem-solving skills.

The people I admired most online were those who shared struggles alongside lessons learned or solutions found. They turned problems into teachable moments rather than pity parties.

Final thoughts

Social media is a powerful tool that can either enhance or damage your reputation. The behaviors I've outlined above all have one thing in common: they reveal a lack of emotional maturity, self-awareness, or social intelligence.

But once you're aware of these patterns, you can easily avoid them. Before you post, ask yourself: Would I respect someone who shared this? Is this adding value or just seeking attention? Am I treating my social media like a public platform or a private diary?

Remember, class isn't about money or status. It's about conducting yourself with dignity, discretion, and respect for both yourself and others. Your social media presence is an extension of who you are. Make sure it's sending the message you actually want to convey.