I constantly see many articles and videos about how negative social media can be. From rude comments to negative posts about something you love, social sites can be a dark place. But the truth is, social media is only negative if you let it be a negative force in your life. It’s true that sometimes you can’t avoid someone saying something critical, but for the most part, you control your social media accounts. You choose what you read, what you post, who you follow, and how you spend your time on social sites. Though some people use social sites to hurt others, others spread positivity and light, and those are the people who deserve your attention.
If you don’t like something you see on social media, you can choose not to engage.
You don’t have to comment or respond to anyone who has something negative to say about you. You have the ability to block people and control which aspects of your life others see. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but that doesn’t mean you need to to listen to them. If you disagree with someone, you can choose not to respond. The Internet is full of people looking to start drama, but you are only part of the “spilled tea”if you choose to be.
On social media, you have the power to be the change you want to see.
You can spread positivity in your posts and encourage others to do the same. Not only do you have the ability to only follow and respond to positivity, but you can also be an encouraging example for others to follow. Don’t just sit back and continue to let others be negative. Encourage people to follow your lead and spread positivity. It takes no effort at all to show others love, kindness, and respect, and it will help everyone else, too..
If social media is always bringing you down, you can also choose to take a break.
If deactivating every social media account is too much of a commitment, you can commit to logging off just one or two at a time. Sometimes, taking a “social media detox” allows you to clear your mind and gain a fresh perspective on life. When those toxic, negative posts are no longer the center of your universe, and you can focus on the uplifting aspects of your life, which will help you see your world clearly again.
There are so many ways to avoid the negativity on social media. Encountering drama on social sites is not completely avoidable, butfor the most part, your social media accounts are what you make of them. Follow positive people, follow people who inspire you, and only share what you makes you feel comfortable and safe. We are all responsible for what we post and the people we allow to access what we share, so we all have the power to change the negative energy we feel on social media. Don’t let negative people flood your feeds and timelines. Make social media a positive place, and help inspire change.
Feature Image by Kev Costello on Unsplash
