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Use It Or Lose It: My Take On Social Mediums

If you're going to use them, the use them right. If not, you should lose them.

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Use It Or Lose It: My Take On Social Mediums
www.peterjthomson.com

I'll admit it, I love social media. Whether it's Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Vine or even MySpace (Only the 90s kids will remember this). It's a vital form of communicating, exploring, socializing and I love that. But what I really can't stand is when people take advantage of what the freedom that they post on these mediums. I know, we have the right to express ourselves, say what believe, and trust me I'm proud to live in a country that allows us to do so. But let's be real, we can all name a few people who take it all way too far and sometimes to an extreme. And frankly, those that perpetrate these posts I don't have time to read or to give you the time of day to care. But still I'm managing to try to open everyone's eyes to what they post/vine/etc..

Just recently I had opened up Facebook when I had saw a post from 'Howard' who had deliberately posted about a girl, her southern regions, and calling her "stanky." I don't know about you, but to me, that's an active display of his own character. Not only do I find offense to the words he said, but also to the fact that it was an active act of disrespect. Yes, I'm personally am calling this guy out, and all for the right reasons. I don't care what anyone says about it, I'm voicing my opinion on why this is WRONG. For two major reasons this is wrong, for one, he's discussing his own sex life on a public medium. I get it, you had sex, so have I but you don't see me posting about the guy I've been with. It's apart of life, so you're not anything special by that means. Secondly, he's used vulgar words that shouldn't be used on a public platform in a way that is degrading. I was always told that if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all. Maybe I'm right or maybe I'm wrong, but I have a moral compass that actually works- maybe some people could buy one or something or just realize what is appropriate; it's not that hard! To give you another perspective of this situation, think of it this way: you have a daughter/ a younger sister, and this is what 'Howard' had said about her. How would you feel? Personally, I'd feel saddened that someone would have the audacity to post this.Or worse yet, think of if this was about yourself? In some ways, this could have been a form of bullying. That may be a far stretch, but if you're able to look at through that light then yes, yes it is.

Making a hypothetical point here, what if I had opened this post as my little brother was over me? He is 8 years old, and God forbid he had saw one of the inappropriate words for vagina or had read the word "stanky," and then had questioned me on what it meant. What would I say? I'm not good at lying and he knows me pretty well so he'd catch me in a lie. And I hate lying in the first place. Truly think about it. What would I explain to him? God forbid he repeats the word at daycare and gets in trouble for something that he doesn't even know. Again this was a hypothetical idea, but truly stuff like that has happened to me and probably happens to others.

Life gets hard, I get it. I've gone through a lot and honestly it's never ending. However, not everyone wants to know about how you hate your life or how depressed you are. As few or none may know, I've had depression ever since I was seven (even though it likes to play peek-a-boo everyone now and then) but still I don't post about how my depression is ruining my life or how suicide is the answer. By which means, I'm not advocating suicide! Anyway, back to the point, I don't need to hear a sad story while on a social medium. If I wanted to hear a sad story, I'd probably watch a LifeTime movie. But truly, if you really need to get your feelings out, posting it on a social platform shouldn't be your first choice. However, if you're sharing your own story and how you've found a solution, then by all means post away, because who knows maybe you'll help someone who truly needs it. In the end, I believe that the first step is to talk to a loved one, or a therapist.

Social mediums are great, I believe that one hundredpercent, but when someone takes advantage of them to be degrading orusing them to get a sad story, then I cop out. I don't mean to be rude, but really, if you're old enough to have a form of social media, please use them the right way. So I'll end my 'rant' by saying: be smart and grow the freaking up. Thanks, you're really saving everyone's time and your own character.

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