Dubai: When Isabelle Oderberg, a Guardian journalist decided to share some insight into her miscarriage by putting it on Facebook, she was faced with friends and family commenting that she was ‘oversharing’.

Sharing photos and stories on social media is a common thing these days. But when does it cross the line? We asked a few Gulf News readers.

Vimal VJ, 30, is an avid gym vlogger and regularly shares his ideas about health and fitness on his Facebook page. He told Gulf News: “I started sharing gym pictures in 2010, and I get negative and positive feedback on my posts. But I do it to inspire others to lead a heathy and fit life. Many of my followers and friends ask me my gym routine and for diet and exercise tips. I do share a lot of my workout regime on Instagram. I have provided others with advice. Some people may not be able to get professional help. I am sure my workout regime gives them some idea about techniques.”

Seeking help and advice is also a key reason for Juliette Charles, a 28-year-old mother based in Dubai. She said: “I used Facebook and Instagram to record my pregnancy two years ago. I do understand that some people feel they may be getting more than they had asked for, but to me they were sources of getting information and sharing ideas with other women. Sometimes I experienced situations where I had a pregnancy related doubt and could not immediately contact a doctor. At such times, I found it easier to get advice from other women who had experienced a similar situation.”

But, Charles does feel that sometimes it can get too much and could expose people to danger.

She said: “If someone thinks a person is sharing too much, most social media channels allow you to set your newsfeed preference or unfollow that person. That having been said, I agree that sharing too many pictures of your children on social media is not a good idea, you may find it cute and adorable but there are perverts out there who may be looking at these pictures. It is also an easier thing for stalkers to get too much information.”

Catherine C. who lives in Dubai, away from her family in the Philippines, disagrees to a measure. She explained: “All my family and close friends are available on Facebook, my family shares pictures of my son and I get to see him though I am not physically present with him.

“I think it is a way to show people how lucky I feel to have my son. It is also a medium for friends and family to be involved in events when they are not actually able to attend. Like a friend’s wedding that you may not attend or a birthday or even a funeral. What may seem oversharing to one may feel like participation to another.”

Oversharing or connecting with a loved one, with Facebook’s new ‘dislike’ button, along with the old ‘like’ icon, users can convey what they feel in a clearer manner.