Keeping the Peace Online | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Relationships

Keeping the Peace Online

Learning that "I disagree" does NOT mean the same as "I hate you"

40
Keeping the Peace Online


Like most people in the World, I have a network of family and friends that are very diverse in their ideology.

Growing up I would hear, "The two things you never talk about at the dinner table are religion and politics". Today I think that would be a good rule to enforce on social media.

I have no problem sharing thoughts and beliefs online. I do have an issue with using social media as a bully pulpit or a place to tout your opinion as the only one and shame anyone else who disagrees with you.

I hate when a social media post is prefaced with "No Haters Allowed" or "Haters will be unfriended". There are people out there that it seems their whole job in life is to just tick people off but I have found that most of the time when people use phrases like this they don't mean internet trolls, they mean anyone with a differing view point of their own.

On the flip side of the argument if someone shares something about a life choice or an opinion they are sharing to find support. I am pretty sure that nothing you could tell them would ever change their mind. The only thing that getting in a war of words online will accomplish is you will lose a friend online and in real life so it really isn't worth it.

There are people on my social media newsfeed that make me want to say

every time I see their posts. There is a wonderful feature on Social Media where you can still be their friends you just have to actually go to their page to read their posts. This feature has saved many friendships and familial relationship.


Another social media trend I absolutely despise is telling people that have differing views that they are "ignorant" or "backward" or have some sort of phobia about the issue being discussed. When I hear that argument it is really hard not to just say-

Social Media is a diverse place with diverse opinions if you don't like what someone is saying hide them or unfriend them. Social Media is not the place to get into a verbal smack down with people.

If you are the person posting their social agenda online be prepared for some differing opinions. Excluding internet trolls, if someone offers a differing view point they are not ignorant or scared of your opinion they simply have a different one than yours and that doesn't make them wrong and you right or vice versa it makes you two people with two opinions and that is ok.

Don't confuse a differing opinion with hatred. There are a ton of people in this world and on my social media that I vehemently disagree with on just about every relevant social issue but I still love them as a person.

Remember that next time you use social media to share bits of your life. There are going to be people that disagree with your choices. When you get those responses (and you will) the word "disagree" is not the same as "I hate you" for most people. If whatever issue you are going through brings a lot of true haters with it maybe social media isn't the place to share.

I am a huge proponent of social media. Sometimes it can be a lifeline for people. I am a sharer, I share just about every part of my life online. I share the good, the bad and the ugly. I have had my share of so called haters (thankfully not too many) I have cried before over hurtful comments online and noticing my friend count go down. Those times have taught me to be careful what I share. I am a sharer but I only share openly the things that might make people smile or if I need prayer or help with something. If I am going through some big issue I have a few friends that I know share my beliefs that will help encourage and not berate me on issues.

Be careful what you share and who you share it with.

Be nice to people if they are honestly sharing a differing opinion on something, have an open conversation, it just might give you a new way to look at something. Leave all the silly drama for the Kardashians, none of us have time for that crap.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

14638
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

2937
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 14 Stages Of The Last Week Of Class

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1764
black marker on notebook

December... it's full of finals, due dates, Mariah Carey, and the holidays. It's the worst time of the year, but the best because after finals, you get to not think about classes for a month and catch up on all the sleep you lost throughout the semester. But what's worse than finals week is the last week of classes, when all the due dates you've put off can no longer be put off anymore.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments