Pose. Snap. Post! Everywhere we look, there is someone at it. Most likely, that someone is a teenager, telling virtual friends about an Instagrammable meal, a new pair of sneakers, their outfit of the day, or posting a selfie! Needless to say, social media is a huge part of teens’ lives today. So much of their interaction with friends and peers takes place on apps like Snapchat, Facebook and Instagram. However, much like social interactions in the real world, where manners matter, communicating virtually requires etiquette. While these rules are often sidelined, with the barrage of trolling and spewing vitriol online, it is important for teens to follow certain guidelines or etiquette when interacting in cyberspace in order to safeguard themselves and their friends.
Here is an easy social media etiquette guide to follow…
Kindness is everything
When one is using social media, it is easy to think of the screen and not the other person at the receiving end. It’s necessary to put every post, comment and message through a filter of kindness. Ask yourself, ‘If they were in front of me, would I say the same things to their face?’
Respect your privacy
It’s simple to expect others to respect your privacy, but with location tags and constant posting on apps where images and videos disappear after a certain timeframe, we may be jeopardising our own privacy. Do not share personal information about your home, family, or location on chat-rooms and forums. Make sure to blur out car number plates and don’t post images of your driver’s license, or boarding passes and flight information – no matter how exciting it is. There can be serious repercussions to sharing such information online.
Everyone is not to be trusted
As a good rule of thumb, don’t ‘friend’ strangers. People online may be great at sweet-talking and making you feel validated. But be aware that letting strangers into your social media network is as good as letting them into your lives. It is best to restrict your online interactions to people whom you know personally. Should a person try to ‘friend’ you repeatedly, inform a parent or trusted adult.
Everything you post is on the internet forever
You may be able to delete posts; however, nothing you ever post really goes away. Your digital footprint will include every single picture, caption and comment you have published online. Anything you post can be screen-captured or saved by anyone who can see it. So, it’s always good to consider – ‘What would grandma’s reaction to this be?’ If something tells you she would not approve, you are better off not posting it.
Your social media accounts are not journals
If you are feeling overtly emotional or angry, pick up a pen and a journal and write to your heart’s content. Posting on social media when angry or emotional can lead to situations you won’t be proud of once you calm down. Especially in terms of dealing with anger directed at a certain person, calling them out on social media is a huge no-no. Such posts are akin to gossiping and bullying and are detrimental to a positive and constructive web-space.
Ask permission before you post
The most important social media etiquette is the permission. If you wish to post photographs/videos of friends, you need their consent before you hit ‘enter’. Your friends have a right to decide whether they wish for said content to appear online. Don’t post embarrassing or negative content involving your friends. Understand that anything they are tagged in becomes part of their digital footprint.
Create, don’t compete
Social media is a great space to showcase your talents and to create content for what you are proud of. While creating content for social media – be it short films, photography, art, DIY tutorials, etc – can be very fulfilling, it is important that you don’t create to compete. There is a lot of talent in this world and social media is a free avenue for everyone who wishes to strut their stuff. Coexist, appreciate and learn from others.
Post like your future depends on it
Because social media handles are reflections of one’s personality, college admissions departments and potential employers scour through them before they decide whether or not to provide one with an education or job opportunity. So keep things clean on the web. The use of profanity, or praising frowned-upon behaviour, getting into arguments, and supporting unethical groups/ideologies/activities should be avoided at all costs.
Look up
Social media can be a lot of fun. There is so much to learn, to be seen, and appreciated on the internet. But nothing can replace face-to-face connections. Schedule a span of time for social media usage, so as not to end up whiling away hours glued to your phone. Also, during meal times and when family or friends are around, set your phone aside and engage in meaningful conversation.
