Glam but first coffee
I wanted to start by saying I am so happy that I grew up when social media was not a thing. Social media, especially last year, felt very dark due to political propaganda. How to use social media responsibly? That is the question that I have asked myself. I am not perfect at using social media, but I am trying to improve myself and spread more positivity (but also the truth).
Social media have made people fight with depression, anxiety and even lead to suicide. However, you are the boss, and you have control! If you want to lead your life to grow, get better, learn new things and see social media from a better side- rule who you follow and watch! Let’s know together with how we can use Social media to our benefit.
DO’s of Social Media
Post appropriate pictures
Be responsible for what you post online, especially if you are underage! Remember that these photos and videos can be shared amongst people, creeps, friends… Think about what message you want to bring with your photos, what you want to achieve, and if this photo is the best to reflect it!
Be optimistic but realistic
Create a positive environment on your profiles. However, if you want to talk about politics and share your opinion, do not be scared to do it! We need more influencers and creators with their voices and opinion!
Also, if you feel bad someday, feel free to be real with your audience- do not fake!
Have an opinion and stick to it (do not be afraid of it)
As I mentioned before, do not be afraid of your own opinion! Last year proved how many people do not research and believe everything they see! Be you, be too much!
Follow real people that inspire you
Follow only real people that inspire you to be a better person! Following only people who make you feel beautiful, smart and learn new things is essential for social media! Most popular influencers are very fake, lousy influences, and photoshop their photos that if they went missing, we could not find the person!
Make positive friendships
I am so thankful to have found smart and independent ladies on social media due to blogging. They inspire me so much to keep going, we support each other, and it is just a great feeling to know that someone on the Internet understands you.
Edit but not too much
We all want our feed to look aesthetic and beautiful. Therefore, find your style and edit your photos professionally. However, be sure that you can see personally in pictures (as well as your real looks). Again, just in case if you go missing, we can find you!
Learn new things (recipes, style, business)
When we positively use social media, we can learn so much from it! Therefore, follow and save posts that teach you something! Those are new recipes, new workout routines, business tricks, or maybe some trendy style outfits.
Use it for your business
Social media is now considered one of the most critical steps to grow and expand the business. Therefore, use the power of social media to reach your customers and find new people! Networking is vital as well, and now it is easier than ever.
Report inappropriate photos and comments
How to use social media responsibly? By being a responsible human if you notice wrong and not appropriate actions. Like, photos and comments. I have reported so many images and comments because I do not think that Instagram should have porno photos, for example. However, it is not the worst thing! The worst things I have seen are children in suggestive poses and clothing, and even worst are comments underneath those photos! However, Instagram does not care a lot because most of my reports answered that the comment or photo did not go against guidelines!
DON’Ts of Social Media
Do not follow fake people with the wrong values
Do not fake your personality, looks, etc.
Our world needs real people with strong personalities (or weak but accurate). Do not be fake, be honest to yourself and your audience! Remember that kids and teenagers can be looking at you, and your profile and words can affect them massively!
Do not interact with bad examples
We already spoke about following fake people, but even more important is not following and interacting with sinful people (bad examples). Do not interact or follow people that use and promote drugs, excessive partying, and alcohol use. Remember that our lives are short, and we want to use them to grow, be a better person and live it fully.
Do not share personal information
Do not share your address and phone number with anyone! As well as do not send your private photos to anyone. For your own safety!
Do not share your relationships and family
I do not support family or hardcore relationship channels, period! We can see that it always hurt their relationships and children. I would suggest not share personal or private information about your relationships and family, especially if they have not let you do so! Therefore, be responsible for any information you share about your life and other people! The happiest relationship is a private relationship!
Do not spend the whole day on Social Media
Time costs money! Time is priceless. Limit the time you spend on social media and do not pay the whole day on social media! Give yourself, for example, one hour and then do more useful stuff. Especially if you have a business, many business owners spend too much time on social media, thinking it helps their business. However, it does not! Add a new photo, do anything you need for your business on social media, and then get off it and do actual work.
Do not believe everything you see
Social media is not real in most of the case! Do not believe everything you see on social media, in political aspects as well as private. People create and share a lot of propaganda that they are paid for or have not researched deeply! There are many lies about beauty, looks, bodies, and the “perfect” life.
Do not waste time scrolling- instead, be active
Again- if you catch yourself just scrolling without any reason, put your phone down!
Do not share propaganda
How to use social media responsibly? 2020 proved how many people should never share anything about politics. Remember that only by sharing mainstream media information you spread paid propaganda! Research if you want to learn about topics and do not believe everything you hear from mainstream media!
Do not feel forced to share things you do not want (photos, BLM, etc.)
I hated how society forced people to share black squares on profile like it would solve the problem! No, do not do anything that you do not want, and do not let people force you! Fight for things and issues you want to fight for, and in the way you think is the right way! For example, how many influencers or BLM activists shared about black people killed in Chicago by black people? Of police officers killed in riots? Of businesses and stores robbed? Or of human trafficking and pedophilia increased in 2020? Well, I did because, in those crimes, more people were killed and affected!
I hope that this article helps you to know how to use social media responsibly! What else would you add as DO or Don’t? Comment down below!
If you want to learn more about life and how to be more productive and grow, subscribe to my Youtube channel here.
Read how social media and influencers affects your body image!
