Social Media Talk – Let’s Come Together in a Civil Manner

Recently, as a result of the upcoming election, I lost six friends on social media. While I didn’t say anything to offend them, someone did, and they decided they’d had enough. They decided it was time to take their leave of Facebook and other social media channels, as result of being bombarded with the expressive opinions of others. For something that is supposed to be helping us to connect with others on the virtual level, social media seems to be making more enemies than friends these days. Is social media really making us closer, or pulling us further apart?

The Social Media Effect

Many people use social media as a way to communicate with old friends who’ve moved away or pals with whom they’ve lost contact as adults. Baby boomers are using the medium to get the latest pictures of their grandchildren or talk to their kids who are trying to make their own way in the world. Certainly, in these instances, social media is creating new connections or restoring old ones. But in a world where we value the diversity of opinions, we’re opening ourselves up to a side of our old friends that we’d be better off not seeing.

A Brave Face?

Of course, different people are going to have different opinions, and in most cases, we welcome such differences. However, social media has given everyone an audience, and this includes those people whose opinions we never wanted to hear. People speak more freely behind the protection of a computer screen; they say things they wouldn’t in an actual conversation. Despite the publicness of the forum in which they speak, they’re spouting opinions that are better left unsaid. In the process of doing so, they’re creating a separation between themselves and their “friends.” This is done by using bullying tactics to get their point across.

Bullying Takes A New Height

In the age of cyber-bullying, why our youth would want to have a social media presence is beyond me. Kids are vicious on social media, once again saying things they don’t have the courage to say in person. Social media has become the newest way to talk behind someone’s back, while still ensuring that they will get to see it. Even adults are engaging in this behavior by posting passive aggressive status updates, or clever memes to circumvent actual confrontation while still throwing down the gauntlet. We’re inviting chaos into our lives, whether or not we intend to do so.

How Does It Affect Relationships?

How many marriages have suffered as a result of social media? How many relationships have been destroyed, friendships ruined, or business connections canceled because of how we’re presenting ourselves on these channels? Something as simple as your relationship status can cause conflict within a relationship, while a simple connection with an old significant other can create marital strife despite your current level of happiness. In these situations, it would seem that social media is doing more harm than good, and that shouldn’t be the way. We should be able to get along and connect with others without fear of retribution in terms of our relationships.

Is There Any Good

This is not to say that no good comes from social media. Some of us, who use it properly, have been able to recover grade school friendships. They have also been able to reignite old flames, or find a better home, car, or job. We use our profiles to ask for help when we need it, to share our triumphs, or request prayers when we can do no more. Mostly, these requests are granted with exactly what we’re hoping for. However, sometimes our request for prayer is met with religious persecution. Our joy over promotion is met with cynicism and derision. We should be able to express our joy, sorrow, or anything in between without ridicule.

Walking A Fine Line

Well we can’t, can we? Some of us walk on eggshells when it comes to social media. We hold our tongues in an effort to save face or not make more enemies than friends. Others, however, seem to thrive on the conflict. At this point, we’re often forced to make a decision we shouldn’t have to make. We shouldn’t ever have to choose between social media and our sanity. It may seem to be a simple plea in this day and age, but can’t we all just get along?