Navigating Social Media

A few guidelines that may help you to navigate Social Media.

1. If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Be careful about clicking on mysterious messages or forwarding things on to all your friends. No legitimate message requires you to forward to everyone on your friends list! (Also note that forwarding a message with a picture of Jesus on it does not really qualify you for Heaven.)

2. Don't share false news stories. Promoting obviously biased articles about some outrageous thing that a politician did (who happens to be in a different party than you) is at best lazy and at worst dishonest and deceptive. Don't share wacked out stories. You are part of the problem when you share that stuff! Google or another search engine can be of great assistance in verifying the truthfulness of something you see on social media. Take the time to research.

3. The nature of social media is one of telling, not listening. While I'm sure many people are influenced by what they see on social media, debates that take place on posts rarely convince anyone to come to the other side of any issue. "I won the argument online" ...said no one ever! Reign in the debates. Use a little wisdom. Face to face conversations about differences of opinion are generally more civil and more productive.

4. Traumatic news of death, serious injury, natural disaster, dead bodies, pictures of people in distressing situations, etc do not need to be posted on social media. No one wants to find out that they lost a family member via social media (make sure all immediate family and relatives are aware of the passing of a family member before it reaches social media). No one wants to see their child in a painful situation because you posted the picture first. You are not helping anyone, you are harming people when you rush to "get it on Facebook." Do not succumb to the voyeurism of the hour in which we live.

5. Keep family discord off of social media. (This includes your church family too.) Having a disagreement with your family is, in many ways, a normal part of having family. While differences of opinion will no doubt rise among family members, the need to post issues of personal conflict in marriage, among family members, between co-workers or friends is not acceptable or even helpful. Problems arise from the fact that long after you have worked out your differences, you have social media voyeurs wondering what will happen in the next episode of your family's version of a soap opera.

6. Don't post your drama. It has never helped someone to post their frustration on Facebook. "Venting" on social media is a prescription for added chaos, not less mess. Typing out your frustration in work relationships, difficult days, or other drama simply doubles down your mind on the negative and frustrating elements of your situation. You become less thankful and more bitter the more drama you put on social media.

7. There is always someone who takes it upon themselves to become an online counselor. Many people assume their psychology degree comes from a keyboard. It is worth noting that on social media everyone has an opinion. The problem with that opinion is that it may be coming from someone who has problems more difficult than yours from which they have been unable to navigate themselves. For example, what if they are giving you marriage advice when they are in their 5th marriage? Do not become the person who thinks you can solve everyone else's problems. If you really want to help, meet the person in real life.

8. Get rid of your "know it all" tendencies. Ever noticed there are some people who seem to live on social media and quickly comment with their opinion whenever there is a need for advice? Some people to have all the answers, but it is often little more than a prideful attitude masked through the world wide web. Have something that can really help someone? Make an effort to personally invest in that person outside of a screen on your phone or computer.

What might you add?


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