Why Poop Has No Place On Social Media

(Graphic: Kat Borosky/TueNight.com)

When I started STFU Parents, a user-submission-based website highlighting “parental overshare,” I didn’t realize that I was signing up to look at so much shit. Literally.

At the time, my definition of “oversharing” did include mannerly updates about potty training, but never in my wildest nightmares did I think parents would post pictures of their children’s actual fecal matter — or long-winded descriptions of said fecal matter — on Facebook. Having been aware of the explosion of “mommy blogs” at the time, I figured if you wanted to post about your child’s diarrhea, you’d probably do so on a personal blog rather than blast a digital telegram to your friends, relatives, neighbors, former teachers, and bosses.

Boy, was I naive.

I quickly discovered that many parents are delighted by their kids’ poop and think that all of their friends actually care. I filed away hundreds of these submissions in a folder titled “Bathroom Behavior,” and over time I began noticing bizarre patterns. I created sub-folders for various topics pertaining to children’s poop, such as “painting with poop,” “eating poop,” and, naturally, “diaper blowouts.”

I continue to pray that the TSA and/or the good people at the Apple Genius Bar will never, ever have to glimpse the files on my computer. If they do, I’m fairly certain they’ll think I have the world’s most repulsive fetish, not to mention OCD due to my extensive filing system.

So, why do I maintain this website? It’s a fair question, and the reason is because of the emails I receive from readers saying that I’m providing a public service. Parents in particular send messages outlining how insane they think some of their parent-friends are. By highlighting this form of oversharing, I’m giving a voice to the majority of people who find this use of social media balls-to-the-wall crazy.

And while I can’t say I take pride in that fact, I have learned a few things along the way. Namely, what parents shouldn’t post about unless they want a healthy portion of their online friends to think they’re bowel-movement narcissists. So, in an effort to continue this public service, I’m sharing five of the most common examples of text-based poop updates that are stinking up social media.

1. Posts With Sensory Details
We’ve already established that fecal Facebook updates are unwanted in general, but it’s the details that take a status update from “meh” to “blech.” Parents should save the smells, textures and shapes for awkward dinner party conversation among close friends (who will promptly ask them to stop talking).

2. Story Hour-Style Updates
Parenting is, as they say, a “wild ride,” and all parents have a story (or 30) pertaining to poop. But we don’t need to hear them in status updates.

3. TMI Potty Training Posts

I don’t mean to be rude, but we get it — your kid is potty training and it’s the worst thing ever. Then, he or she is trained and it’s the best thing ever. It’s a big deal, a milestone for sure, but the constant updates aren’t necessary. Facebook is not a poop journal.

4. Constipation Updates
When babies get constipated, parents go on Poop Watch. And when Poop Watch plays out on Facebook, you can be sure to receive at least three updates: One for the initial announcement, one to let everyone know the baby still hasn’t pooped, and one inevitably saying that Poop Watch is over. It’s times like these that the “Hide” feature comes in handy, unless of course you’re a fellow poopy parent.

5. Bath Poop Updates
Much like oil and water, feces and water don’t mix. At least, they don’t on Facebook. If the word “floater” can be used to describe your status update, you may want to rethink your social media approach.

As the saying goes, everyone poops. Just because a child’s poop carries more weight, so to speak, than the average adult’s doesn’t mean it has a place on Facebook. If you’re a parent, do your friends a favor and keep the potty talk offline.

Tell Us in the Comments

What do you think?

11 Responses

  1. DBR

    Why or when would anyone at the TSA ever look at the content on your computer?

    Reply
    • Blair Koenig
      Blair Koenig

      I was joking, but ultimately the only people who have ever opened my computer other than me are Apple employees and TSA agents. If you opt out of mmw scans (which I do), a TSA agent will open your computer and swipe it for chemicals or other “alarming” residue. If for any reason the TSA chose to keep my computer because it appeared I was engaging in “terrorist activities” (which I’m not), poop pics would undeniably be something they’d come across.

      Reply
  2. Renee

    DBR, that is what we like to call a joke.

    I am a parent, but I still have plenty of parent friends on Facebook whose posts I hide because of this kind of stuff. I am not sure where the brain disconnect happens that makes mothers (some fathers, too, but let’s be honest, mothers have the highest rate of offense) think anyone and everyone on their friends list wants to read and/or see such things.

    Reply
  3. Adrianna Dufay
    Adrianna Dufay

    Ach, I hate the constipation stories on FB! It’s so weird, like parents are trying to own the bodily functions of their kids. My view is that my kids will crap and pee when they need to and my job is just to keep it out of the way of everyone else. But not my job to make it come out! Stop trying to make your kid poo!

    Reply
  4. Jules

    I suddenly want to send flowers to my friends who don’t do this. Love your work, Blair.

    Reply
  5. Karinne

    I ADORE your website and am also an absolute hater of FB overshare – especially of the bodily fluid variety. It has caused me to hide family and friend’s feeds simply because I don’t wanna lose my lunch while reading FB.
    I am 35.5 weeks pregnant and I am sure I am going to experience my fair share of “shit” but I certainly will not be sharing that on FB. No one needs/wants to know that, and your site has just toughened my resolve. 🙂

    Please keep doing what you are doing Blair! <3

    Reply
    • STFUParents

      Thanks, Karinne! And congrats to you for being in the home stretch! It’s not always easy to not share certain crazy details, but I think for the greater good, people who hold back are doing their friends a small service. 🙂 Thanks so much for reading!

      Reply
  6. Molly

    Actually, the poop in the mouth story deserved to be a Facebook status.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.