I have fallen in and out of love with social media every day for most of my internet-using life.
There is something so incredibly satisfying in following a dramatic debate within a chain of comments. Watching drama unfold post after post is often worthy of pulling up a chair, bringing out the popcorn and settling in for an evening of fun. And sometimes, the social media feuds that clutter my screen make me want to throw my phone at the wall and unplug for the rest of eternity.
Social media is a place to befriend and connect with everyone, while simultaneously tearing kindness and dignity to shreds.
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and just about every other social media platform out there has brought this internet-obsessed society together and ripped it apart more times than I can count.
However, social media platforms are often perfect places to engage in conversation and share opinions, both popular and unpopular.
Because of the presidential inauguration, multiple protests and political shakeups have filled up the first month of 2017, so it is no wonder people have taken to social media to vent, comment and share their opinions. It has been a hectic month, and there is no better place to look for signs of that than on a Facebook page.
With the understandable exception of offensive photos or statements, the internet is essentially a rule-free zone. It is time to take a step back and determine or reflect on the unspoken boundaries of using social media.
Here are a few tips for navigating social media in a time where almost no one agrees on anything.
Fight opinion with fact
Ranting on social media is a perfectly fine way to express emotions and share thoughts. Not everyone is a fan of the internet rant, and most often that is because of a lack of factual information. The best way to stay sane and composed when arguing with someone on social media is to throw in fact along with one’s own opinion.
Silence
Sometimes, silence is the best option. As much as we hate to admit it, putting down the phone, storing away the laptop and sliding the tablet back into its sleeve can do more for one’s mental state than sitting through hours of meditation. Five minutes away from social media can help one to reflect and gather their thoughts before diving back into an online disagreement or sharing an unpopular opinion.
Is it destructive?
No argument or post is worth destroying a friendship or one’s ability to communicate effectively. This means we have to ask the question, are some arguments or activity on social media destructive? If so, some opinions just aren’t worth it.
Participate without arguing
As great as social media platforms are for engaging in the comment section of other posts, sometimes it is just as beneficial to stray away from arguing over the small things. Sharing one’s own ideas through articles, photos and quotes all allow for presence of opinion on social media without becoming intertwined in a dramatic thread of negative comments.
Focus on the debate
Remember, as great as it is to “win” a debate online or get the last word, opinions are just opinions at the end of the day, and they shouldn’t jeopardize social media friendships. By focusing on the debate rather than the person sparking the debate, everyone’s ideas come across in a more amicable way.
Social media has now come to play a role in almost every aspect of life, and each person has the chance to use it in a positive way. Having a conflicting opinion with others is never a problem — it is the way in which we voice our thoughts online that matters.
Hailey Stewart can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @Hailey_ann97