Social media is everywhere; it's on our phones, our computers and even in the classroom. Whether we like it or not, social media is a part of our daily lives and will be for the foreseeable future. The thing about being active online is that anyone and everyone can see what you post (privacy settings aside) and not everyone is going to agree with you or like everything you post.
Some people like social media because they can share a little piece of their life with relatives and friends they do not get to see on a day-to-day basis. Others want a place to express their opinions and be supported (or challenged) in them. I enjoy social media because it takes all my jumbled thoughts, opinions, anecdotes and events in my life I choose to share and lays it out in front of me online -- rather convenient if you ask me.
The conundrum of social media is that what you want to happen when you post something usually is not what happens. So here are some expectations versus the reality of what usually happens when you post on different social media sites.
You post a status questioning the policies of a presidential candidate in the hopes of getting a discussion going.
Expectation: Similar-minded friends comment in support of your opinion, with a few playing the devil’s advocate.
Reality: There are 37 comments, six memes and a plethora of logical fallacies claiming that your opinion sucks.
You post a picture of your adorable new apartment, garden included.
Expectation: People will think it looks so cute and they will be so proud of my new place! Plus, that photo editor app cost like $5 so people better appreciate it.
Reality: Only your significant other and a few acquaintances even saw the picture, so it did not get too many likes.
Snapchat
You decide to Snapchat your best friend a video just for her of something hilarious your cat just did.
Expectation: You get a Snapchat from your friend, tears in her eyes from laughing so hard.
Reality: She opened it 45 minutes ago and did not send anything back.
Tumblr
You post an awesome picture of yourself with your friend's Nikon -- very Tumblr of you.
Expectation: Notification after notification of notes and shares.
Reality: There are zero notes and not even one comment.
You post a picture of a screenshot of texts between your mom and you. You changed, “Yeah,” in her phone to Abraham Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address."
Expectation: You will get a ton of re-tweets, favorites and your tweet will go viral.
Reality: You get a ton of re-tweets, favorites and your tweet goes viral.
