I feel like I say this all the time: Social media has changed us. It has changed the way we as a society express ourselves, and how we as individuals show ourselves to the world. I do not believe that social media is a bad thing, I think it has its flaws (obviously- it is so much easier to be mean behind a screen then it is to be mean to someone's face) but it has done a lot of good. For some reason, the example of people using Twitter and Facebook to broadcast the events of the Arab Spring is popping into my head, but you know, cute pictures of dogs are good too (Don't blame me- I did a whole term paper on the Arab Spring and social media).
I use social media like every other college student. I post pictures with my friends, of myself (who doesn't love a good selfie?), and I share my day to day life. I'm pretty sure some of my family members don't call or text me because they think they will see any important updates on Facebook (seriously, call your family, even the ones you don't like). Social media has shed light on the age of body positivity- it especially has given me a platform to share myself. Odds are, you found this article on some type of social media platform.
I understand the lessons of good social media habits, I know why it's important to watch what you post online. As someone who very much wants a public career, I know that I can't post anything that will bite me in the ass one day. I am careful of what I say, and I'm careful of what I post.
So.. if I post a picture of myself in a sports bra and joggers, you best believe I know what I posted. I carefully examined the picture, I know what is showing. It is something that I am okay posting. Really, nothing society has deemed "inappropriate" is showing. I am okay with what I post, and because I am a legal adult, it's up to me to decide that.
I don't take pictures of myself almost completely naked and share them. Even if I did, that is up to me. That is nobody else's call or choice, as long as it is my choice and I'm okay with it, why do you care? I am living my life, I am growing up.
In reality, the screens we hide behind make it so much easier to talk about someone. Go ahead, talk about me. I know it happens. But if someone care share false news and continuous clickbait, why can't I post a picture I like of myself?
Oh, wait...I can.
And I will.