How To Be Kind On Social Media

How can we be kind on social media today?

Social media usage shows no sign of stopping. According to a 2020 reaserch conducted by Global Web Index, Filipinos spend an average of 3 hours and 50 minutes every day on social media pre-pandemic. That’s a lot of time, and personally, I think this Covid situation may have even increased that. It is very clear that social media takes a good chunk of our day. If we spent a lot of time on it, isn’t it just right to make it a happy too?

How To Be Kind On Social Media

The internet has gotten a bad image as a place full of negativity. Social media has become a place where people can go to find someone to bash and something to rant about. Trolling has been a past time for some. And honestly, I can say that this blog was made out of my frustration about the ease of finding negativity online. But I know that it doesn’t have to be that way and I want it changed.

Think before you click

The Internet keeps receipts. Let us all remember that.

Before you click that cute button that says POST, ask yourself why? Is it to affect someone in a positive way or share your joy? Or to annoy a person or worse attack a whole group of people with the world watching? If you are doing it because of the latter, STOP. Stay away from social media until you are in the right state of mind.

What you post on social media, and what you put out in the internet in general, can be kept forever and eventually, come back to bite you in the future. A lot of people, including politicians, content creators and business owners, had to say goodbye to their careers and business endeavors after racist, sexist and other controversial remarks from years ago were brought to the light of the present day.

In addition, some companies and clients look up people online, and may decide that your social media behavior (even if you are a changed person now) is something they do not want to be involved with.

Real World Problems = Real World Solutions

You had a bad day, it is better to call your spouse, friend or mom and talk about it. This is the time to ask help from your support team instead of loitering online. Spilling out vile words on your social media wall may feel good for the moment, but will stop feeling good in a very short while.

If you need to settle things with someone, do so personally. Social media should not be used as a boxing ring. Tweeting about personal feuds and misunderstandings almost always end up to your profile becoming a circus.

If someone drags your name online, reply respectfully. No lowering down to the level they want to drag you in. If they won’t stop, block them and report their bad behavior to the platform or to the authorities, if need be.

Airing out dirty laundry around the neighborhood is not a good idea. Do not do it online, because it is 10 times (or more) worse.

Remember that there’s a person behind the username

What we put out on the internet is not a shout to the void. You can go anonymous or use a screen name but never forget that there is a person behind the screen. If you won’t say it face-to-face, then don’t post it online. Why go on heated word wars with a stranger on the internet if you know you won’t do it with a stranger walking down the street?

In case of famous people’s post, page or profile, some people post terrible comments because they think this particular famous person wouldn’t even see it. If that is so, then why post? If he or she sees it, then you just made a person feel bad. That is wrong. Famous people are people. They are not perfect, like you. They have feelings, like you.

Let your words be the sunshine on someone’s day, rather than the rain on their parade.

Agree to disagree

With social media, we can discuss topics with people from across the world. With this diversity, keep in mind that we are bound to come across someone with very different views, approaches and values. I think that’s OK, and that is what makes it brilliant. Discussions with a variety of people, even with backgrounds very different from us, widens our worldview, forces us to examine a different perspective and makes us wiser in the long run.

Healthy discussions while having opposite views are possible. No amount of name calling, personal attacks, and shady remarks will change a person’s mind regarding a topic, and not tactics anyone should resort to. Keeping the exchanges respectful, on topic and factual is very important. Remember that sticking to facts will help in seeing the other person’s perspective. But we should always remember, that at the end of the day, we can still agree to disagree.

Do not share the negatives

If someone posts a negative content or a rude comment, do not engage! Sharing content and commenting back is engaging. It keeps them on the net. Engaging is rewarding bad behavior when it should not even be tolerated!

Reminder: Viewing a terrible content is still a view in favor of the creator. If you share their content, it will just translate to more views that goes into their pocket.

Ignore these trolls! They should not be given further audience reach and more importantly, mental space. They are not worth your time or of anyone’s. If need be, delete the comment or report the content.

Make the positive viral

Let us be active on it!

It’s not enough to avoid being mean, it is also important to be kind. And online, it is easy to show kindness. On social media, you have the power to connect with people around the globe, so take this opportunity to spread positivity.

Like the post that made you smile. Share the video that taught you new skills. Compliment someone via comment.

What we engage with as content consumers are what platforms will promote. Vote with your engagement!

Use it’s power to your advantage

Spread the word about your favorite charity. Express gratitude for people in your life. Recommend an honest and sustainable business or service provider. DM your old friends and relatives.

Social media is a powerful tool. Use it to your advantage. With it’s reach, it can be used to uplift worthwhile causes and connect to people on the other side of the world.

Spread love online!

Social media should make us social, not the opposite. It should connect us, not divide us. Every time we log on, we get the chance to interact with other people from all over the world. It’s time to bring kindness online!

If you found this post helpful or think it may help another, please share!!!