Why Our Social Media Activity Needs to Change

More and more people globally are using and interacting with social media all the time. Social media use is just going up. It’s not going away.

Facebook is the most actively growing social media site followed closely by WhatsApp and Instagram.

How are we using social media? It can make a huge impact on our lives and the lives of our network and so it’s a good idea to evaluate your usage.

I use it to keep in touch with my family and friends. It has become much more routinely used that a simple text or (gasp!) a phone call. I sometimes wonder if I even need a phone plan — maybe I just need access to wifi? Anyway, I digress.

My concern is the content that we are contributing to these social media sites.

Are we posting content and comments — oh especially those comments — that make the world a better place?

My personal unease comes from the fact that so much of what we see on media, social media too, is negative and critical.

Too negative.

Yes, there are numerous things in society that we don’t like and DO need to change. But I believe that change MUST start with myself. And then spread to my close family and friends, then our community, then the country, then our world.

As globalization expands and borders blur, our messages on social media can impact someone in another part of the world instantly.

Don’t we want to impact positively?

The butterfly effect — where a small initial change can lead to a more dramatic and far-reaching change — can happen with social media.

If we promote hate and violence, and our comments are hateful, racist and condescending — are we spreading a seed of hate, through the butterfly effect? Perhaps we are.

I am not saying ignore the negative and upsetting news stories. It’s not good to hide our heads under the sand.

I am simply hoping that more and more people will spread helpful ideas, positive ways to change things, good news, and be supportive with their global brothers and sisters.

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi

Because social media is so pervasive in our society today we can affect a change simply by promoting positive change within our circle of influence.

Maybe we don’t need to make that hurtful comment. Or share that hurtful story. Maybe we could all find solutions instead? Helpful solutions.

I have resolved to not promote any story of hate or negativity. I want our world to be more positive. And it starts with me — and my social media activity.

Michael Jackson – Man in the Mirror

Thank you,

Michelle