Sharing art, edits, videos, music, poetry, thoughts... it’s human nature. Creativity gets shared like oxygen online. It’s generous, inspiring, and honestly: it keeps the internet alive.

But the same platforms that help things spread can also make it easy for others to take it without asking. A video can get downloaded and reposted without credit. A voice clip can be fed into AI models. A photo meant for friends can end up in a scam or a deepfake machinery. Even deleted posts can hang around in backups or in someone else’s camera roll. What starts as creative expression can suddenly become content for someone else’s gain.

Here’s how to share your work and still keep your creative boundaries:

Use privacy tools and settings: Watermark your artwork. Add metadata or watermarks to your images, videos, or designs using tools like ExifTool or Photopea.

Terms and conditions: We know, no one wants to read them. So, don’t. Copy-paste them into your favorite AI chat and ask it to explain them like you’re five. You’d be surprised what you’re agreeing to.

Be careful with AI tools: Some platforms hold onto what you upload, even after you’re done. Think twice before feeding them your original work. That image or voice could be used in ways you didn’t agree to.

Track your stuff: Reverse image search is your new best friend! If something gets stolen, report it. Call it out. You don’t have to stay quiet just because it feels like ”part of the internet”.

Watch for red flags: Scammy collab offers, weird reposts, brands asking for ”free exposure”. Anything that feels odd probably is. Don’t downplay your value, especially when someone else does.

Only post low-res previews: Don’t post everything in full quality. Keep the originals. Share screenshots, low resolution versions, or snippets when possible. Just enough to get a taste of your creations, without giving it all away.

Putting your work and your heart out there is brave. And sharing ideas and inspiring each other is what makes the online world fun, chaotic and brilliant. So, keep creating. Keep sharing. Just make sure your creativity doesn’t get turned into someone else’s paycheck or product.