Like any other technology, such as nuclear power or the printing press, social media’s effectiveness is dependent on its users. Unfortunately, over the past decade, we have not utilized it well. Initially, social media held the promise of connecting communities and giving voice to the underrepresented, but it has now become a platform for spreading discord, distrust, and conspiracy theories. As we witness the emergence of the next generation of social-media sites, we must ask ourselves: Can we do better?
I believe we can. Instead of waiting for solutions to come from Washington or Silicon Valley, it’s up to individual users to address the problems from the ground up. While we may not have the power to create better social-media platforms, we can certainly make better choices when using them. Whether you’re joining a new site like Threads or sticking with an old favorite like Facebook, here are some tips on how to use social media without letting it use you.
Host your own block party. In real life, if someone were to disrupt conversations and shout abuse at a gathering of strangers, they would be swiftly removed from the party. However, on social media, this type of toxic behavior is not only tolerated but sometimes even celebrated. In our day-to-day lives, we learn from discipline and consequences. Unfortunately, these norms were not established on the internet, leading to the creation of toxic spaces where people never receive the necessary feedback to grow out of their bad habits. Blocking individuals who exhibit negative behavior is a way of providing that feedback. When people realize that their opinions are disregarded when expressed in an inappropriate manner, they are more likely to change their behavior. Remember, you have the right to curate your social-media feed. By doing so, you are being a conscientious host who fosters positive vibes, not thin-skinned.
Read the room accurately. The advice to “read the room” is often used as a lazy way to dismiss an argument without engaging with its substance. However, there is a nugget of truth in this concept. On social media, we participate in different virtual rooms and have specific audiences in mind when we share our thoughts. Many conflicts arise due to misinterpretations when conversations meant for one context spill over into another. Luckily, there is a simple solution: Before posting anything, ask yourself if the platform you’re using is appropriate for what you want to say.
Certain statements are better suited for private conversations or group chats rather than broadcasting to the entire online world. On the other hand, some topics benefit from a wider audience. If you need recommendations, Twitter or Facebook are excellent platforms to seek input. If you want to share your vacation photos, Instagram is the way to go. For discussing personal matters or navigating sensitive political discussions, confide in trusted friends via private chats. By considering the platform’s purpose and the audience you are addressing, you can effectively communicate your thoughts without compromising their reception.
Don’t mistake social media for a representative sample of public opinion. Each social-media platform attracts different types of people and discussions. Consequently, these sites do not accurately reflect popular sentiment. For example, research by the Pew Research Center has shown that only 23 percent of American adults use Twitter, and a small percentage of users are responsible for the majority of tweets. It’s important to recognize that social media serves specific communities and niches, which can lead to skewed perspectives. We should be cautious of drawing conclusions about the world based solely on what we see on these platforms. It’s crucial to understand the limitations of these sites and not let their content influence our views of entire companies or countries.
Avoid falling for rage bait. Social media thrives on outrage and division. Every online subculture eventually becomes overrun with angry and oppositional voices. There is a reason for this phenomenon: anger spreads. Research has shown that posts that target ideological opponents are more likely to be shared and evoke angry responses. Additionally, users who receive likes and shares for their angry posts are encouraged to continue posting inflammatory content. This creates a feedback loop that escalates the level of outrage in online spaces.
Marinating in outrage-optimized spaces has detrimental effects on our civic discourse and mental well-being. If everything is continuously outrageous, we lose the ability to express genuine outrage when it is warranted. Individuals with malicious intentions have capitalized on the fury of others for personal gain, provoking outraged responses to elevate their own profiles. However, there is a simple solution to break free from this cycle: Focus on promoting the content you enjoy, and ignore content that doesn’t resonate with you. Block individuals who engage in negative behavior instead of engaging with them. While there may be exceptions, adopting this approach as your default will greatly enhance your online experience and discourage provocative individuals from hijacking our collective attention.
Put down the pitchfork. We have witnessed numerous cases where innocent individuals have been targeted and subjected to relentless online harassment due to mistaken identity or false accusations. Outrage mobs are one of the most destructive aspects of social media. Many of these attacks are based on misguided information and are disproportionate to the alleged offense. When faced with such situations, it is responsible to abstain from joining the mob. If you wouldn’t want your life to be upended based on a grainy video clip or a poorly worded post, you shouldn’t participate in the destruction of someone else’s life either. It is neither healthy nor productive to devote our limited time on Earth to getting upset over the actions of people we don’t know and wouldn’t have known about without social media.
Choose your lane. When a topic dominates social media and it feels like everyone is talking about it, it’s natural to want to join in the conversation. However, it is essential to critically evaluate whether your input is necessary or beneficial. Not every issue requires your immediate response. It is important to discern between meaningful discussions and unproductive noise. By being selective about the conversations we engage in, we can allocate our time and energy to constructive interactions that truly matter.
In conclusion, social media’s potential lies in the hands of its users. While there are limitations to what we can control, we have the power to make better choices and navigate the online landscape more effectively. By emphasizing positive interactions, understanding the limitations of social media, and refusing to be swept up in the cycle of outrage, we can reshape the future of social media and create a more meaningful and enriching experience for ourselves and others.
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