8 things Boomers comment on Facebook that should have been private messages

We've all been there, scrolling through Facebook when suddenly we see it: a comment from someone's parent or family friend that makes everyone cringe just a little bit. You know the ones I'm talking about.

As someone who spends a fair amount of time online for work, I've noticed a pattern. Our older generations, particularly Boomers, have this unique talent for turning public comment sections into what should clearly be private conversations. And while their intentions are usually pure, the secondhand embarrassment is real.

I've watched my own parents navigate social media, and let me tell you, helping them downsize their house was easier than teaching them the difference between a wall post and a private message.

But through all the mishaps and accidental overshares, I've learned to find humor in these moments while also understanding why they happen.

So let's dive into the eight most common things Boomers comment publicly that really should have stayed in the DMs.

1) Medical updates nobody asked for

"Hi sweetie! Your Uncle Bob's colonoscopy went well. The doctor found three polyps but nothing cancerous. Tell the kids we said hi!"

Sound familiar? For some reason, medical procedures have become fair game for public commentary. I once saw someone's grandmother detail her entire hip replacement recovery timeline under a photo of their grandchild's birthday party.

The thing is, they genuinely think they're being helpful by keeping everyone informed. But there's a time and place for health updates, and underneath your vacation photos probably isn't it.

These conversations deserve privacy, both for dignity and because, well, not everyone needs to know about Aunt Martha's digestive issues while they're eating breakfast.

2) Family drama and grievances

Nothing quite beats seeing someone air out decades of family tension in the comments of a seemingly innocent post about gardening tips. "This reminds me of when your mother didn't invite me to Easter dinner in 1987."

I've witnessed entire family feuds play out in real time under posts about completely unrelated topics. A friend shared a recipe for vegan chili once, and somehow it devolved into her aunt and mother arguing about who ruined Thanksgiving fifteen years ago.

These public airings of grievances turn Facebook into an uncomfortable family therapy session that nobody signed up for. What makes it worse is that these comments live forever in the digital world, preserved for future generations to stumble upon.

3) Financial information and money talk

"Congrats on the new job! Are they paying you more than that last place? You should be making at least $75,000 with your experience."

Boomers seem to have missed the memo that salary discussions and financial details aren't meant for public consumption. I've seen everything from detailed retirement fund amounts to complaints about someone's spending habits posted right there for hundreds of friends to see.

The generational difference here is striking. While younger folks might DM about money matters if they discuss them at all, Boomers will casually drop their entire financial history in a birthday post. It's not just uncomfortable; it can actually be dangerous to share this kind of information publicly.

4) Overly personal relationship advice

Picture this: Someone posts a nice photo with their partner, and suddenly Grandma's in the comments with, "You two should really think about having kids soon. I'm not getting any younger!"

Or worse, the unsolicited marriage counseling that appears under any couple's photo. "Remember what happened with your first marriage. Don't make the same mistakes!"

I once watched in horror as someone's mother gave detailed bedroom advice under an anniversary post. The couple had hundreds of mutual friends who all got to read about what supposedly keeps a marriage spicy.

Some things should definitely stay between family members, preferably in person, definitely not on Facebook.

5) Death announcements in random places

"Beautiful sunset photo! BTW, Mrs. Henderson from down the street passed away yesterday. Funeral is Tuesday."

There's something particularly jarring about scrolling through comments on a fun post only to stumble upon news of someone's passing. While sharing news of a death is important, dropping it casually in the comments of an unrelated post feels wrong.

My dad once announced his colleague's death in the comments of my post about finding a great trail running spot. The tonal whiplash was intense, and it turned what should have been a solemn moment into an awkward social media situation.

6) Correcting grammar and behavior publicly

"You used 'your' when you meant 'you're.' I thought I raised you better than that!"

Public shaming disguised as helpful correction is a Boomer specialty. Whether it's grammar, life choices, or pointing out weight gain, they seem to think Facebook comments are the perfect place for these observations.

I've seen parents correct their adult children's language, table manners in photos, and even their choice of friends, all in public view. What could be a gentle private message becomes a public scolding that makes everyone uncomfortable.

7) Tech support requests

"HELP! MY COMPUTER IS MAKING STRANGE NOISES. HOW DO I FIX THIS???"

All caps, wrong post, urgent tone. Someone shares a photo of their new puppy, and suddenly Dad's asking about printer drivers in the comments. The mismatch between the post content and the tech emergency creates comedy gold, but also genuine confusion.

During one of my digital detox weekends, I came back to find my mother had asked for help with her email password on no less than seven different friends' posts. None of them were remotely tech-related.

8) Private contact information shared publicly

"Call me at 555-0123. We need to discuss your father's birthday surprise!"

The number of times I've seen phone numbers, addresses, and even social security digits posted in public comments would shock you. Boomers often treat Facebook like a private messaging system, not realizing millions of people could potentially see this information.

The irony is that many Boomers are deeply concerned about online privacy and scams, yet they'll casually drop their entire contact list in a public comment thread without thinking twice.

Final thoughts

Look, I get it. Social media is relatively new in the grand scheme of things, and the rules aren't always intuitive. My parents grew up in an era where if you wanted to talk to someone, you either called them or talked face to face. This whole concept of public versus private digital communication is genuinely confusing for many people.

But here's what I've learned: instead of just cringing and scrolling past, maybe we can gently guide our Boomer loved ones toward more appropriate sharing practices. A quick "Hey, let me show you how to send a private message" goes a long way.

After watching my own parents navigate these digital waters, especially after my father's health scare made us all more conscious of staying connected, I've developed more patience for these social media faux pas. They're trying to connect and communicate in a world that changed faster than anyone expected.

So next time you see your mom announcing your cousin's divorce in the comments of a cat video, take a deep breath, maybe screenshot it for posterity, and then kindly show her how to use that private message feature.

Because at the end of the day, their hearts are in the right place, even if their comments aren't.