Social media is a great place to be motivated, get inspired, and be uplifted. However, social media can also tear people down and significantly affect their mentality and well-being. I am a firm believer in freedom of speech, but I also believe it is our responsibility to take care of each other. Here are 5 questions to ask yourself regarding helping yourself and others have a more positive social media experience.
Are you thinking about how it may affect others before you post?
Social media is so accessible, and sometimes we forget to think about how others will feel when we post. Some jokes, pictures, and words may cause someone to feel anxiety and/or trigger a traumatic experience. Simply considering other people before posting may change the entire meaning and effect of your post.
Are you sending a positive message through your post?
Sending a positive message through your post does not mean being fake and not posting the truth. However, every post has the potential to include something positive and encourage others. Using to post to shine like on something positive can improve the overall tone of social media.
Are you making positive comments and engaging in an uplifting way?
Often, because we are behind a screen, it can be easy to post a comment before thinking. Social Media has proven to be the biggest playground for bullying to occur. Comments that do not include healthy language or have the potential to comfort the people who read it should be limited or avoided altogether.
Are you making a post that may be triggering?
It's easy to make posts without realizing it may trigger someone. I do not mean triggering in the way that they are offended necessarily, but something that may trigger someone's past traumatic experiences. Posting negative videos that impose hate, or vulgar language (whether posted in opposition or not) can still tremendously affect a person's mental health.
Are you filling your social media with things that make you happy or stressed?
Sometimes it is hard to decipher whether a social media page is affecting you negatively or positively, It is important to stay up on current news and read different opinion. However, that page may be causing you more anxiety than informing you. Make sure that your social media is full of things that make you happy and uplift you.
It is important to use social media to its fullest so that you and others can have the best experience possible. Negativity on social media is there because it is encouraged and draws a lot of attention. We can change the whole tone of social media and how it affects others. So ask yourself these 5 questions before posting.
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