Want to have fun on social media? Avoid these classic pitfalls.
Last week, we explored the ways in which you can ensure you get a positive experience out of social media. It can be a tricky medium to navigate but using the right approaches can help keep you sane online. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the social media practices that could cause problems for you. Knowing what to avoid can help keep everything friendly and fun.
Getting caught in an argument.
If you’ve spent any significant time on any social media platform, no doubt you’ve seen your fair share of arguments. People seem to have less of a filter when on Facebook and Twitter and things can get nasty when differing opinions come in to play. Subjects like politics can really get heated when users start going back and forth. While you have every right to share your opinion, unless you feel like you can have polite and civil conversations about it, it’s best not to even engage.
Posting too much.
Social media can be addictive. It’s fun to share your thoughts, the latest news and fun content with your friends. However, there is such a thing as over-sharing. It can be awfully annoying for your followers if you’re taking up their whole newsfeed with your constant posting. Social media users want to hear from a number of people, not just you. Know what is reasonable for whichever platform you’re on and don’t make people have to unfollow you.
Getting personal.
It can be exciting to share the latest family news with your social media followers but be careful you’re not sharing too much. Consider whether this information is too personal for the world at large. If you’re announcing someone’s pregnancy or wedding, be sure they are okay with you doing so. Same goes for posting on someone’s page. Should you send a private message instead? Be sure you aren’t saying anything too sensitive.
Parenting.
When the kids move out and the family is spread out all over the country or further, social media can be a great tool for staying in touch. However, you have to understand that your children are sharing their updates and stories with not only you, but also their friends. You might not always agree with things they post and that’s understandable. But don’t do your parenting over social media. If needed, talk to them in person. If you start using Facebook to scold your child’s decisions, you’ll be losing that contact very quickly.
Not having fun.
At the end of the day, the best way to tell if you’re using social media the right way is whether or not you enjoy it. This is supposed to be a fun experience. Yes, you can use it for job searching, business and more. But this is also a way to stay social. If you’re left wondering why you still have that Twitter account, it might be time to change things up. Find ways to have fun and connect with the right people.