I think it’s a little more complicated. I can empathize with the reluctance to share, I was raised that way too. He’s right that we can sometimes share even innocuous things we like because that’s easier and feels safer than trying to compose our own thoughts into words. I’m guessing you’ve probably done it with music before, songs are really good at communicating things like that sometimes, it can even just be more efficient.

I grew out of it eventually though. I wanted the choice, the power to either share a piece of media to represent me or just open myself up and present my own case based in my own feelings and with my own logic. Since I can now comfortably do both, I recognize that my old reluctance to open up was an unnecessary burden I was putting on myself, rooted in fears that were ultimately unnecessary and unproductive, that I acquired in my childhood. Much like many other things I acquired in my childhood, it just wasn’t what I wanted anymore. That fear was a crutch, training wheels, and just a hindrance now. Ultimately it had become a weakness, as fear can sometimes be if you listen to it too much.

No point. We can control ourselves, but we cannot control other people. If a girl wants you to talk to her instead of show her videos, then whatever, she can want that. If you don’t want to change yourself for her, then just find a different girl.

fear of criticism for having insecurities

Found your problem. If your boys won’t accept you when you’re having a hard time, you might just have shit friends. We all struggle with different things, there’s no shame in being honest about that. A good friend will get that and have your back anyway, even when you need to vent or whatever.

You might get teased a little or something, but you shouldn’t really be afraid of that either if you know your friend actually does give half a shit about you.

If you’re posting links to someone’s service on the internet, I think it’s going to be hard to make the case that posting their links isn’t “supporting them”, regardless of your own personal motive for doing so.