Social Media Etiquette that all kids should learn

Considering the fact that how our means of communication have improved over the last two decades, it is quite hard for us to imagine that not long ago we interacted with others very differently than the way we are doing now. In fact, we might even come off as cavemen to our children who used advanced gadgets at every step of the way. Nevertheless, it is a common thing for people to interact with others on social media. As we become used to new ways and methods of communication, we want to make sure that we’re presenting our kids with the right kind of tools to interact and teach them proper etiquette. So let’s have a look at some of the reminders that we should share with our children as they go on with their lives.

Always think well before you post anything. If you see a post somewhere that bothers or offends you, think about it carefully before you react to it and write something against it. In fact, you might also feel differently after 24 hours or choose to respond differently instead of reacting to it in anger. You may even try to deal with the whole matter in person.

Steer clear of irritating tendencies like bullying. Make sure that you are always online with whomever you are interacting. To put it in simple terms, be nice to others if you want them to be nice with you.

Do not post excessively and all the time. It is always better to listen more and talk less as that makes you more receptive. In social media, it is always better to see what others are doing and create your posts and replies in a careful manner. Although you may have numerous great pictures, keep in mind that not everyone is eager to see what you are wearing today.

Under any circumstances, do not share someone else’s personal information or pictures without asking him or her. While you may not have qualms about sharing personal information and images, others may not share your enthusiasm to do the same. Posting images of someone without asking for their consent and/or tagging them in an image can seem like a major violation of privacy to them which they may not find it easy to accept. If you are not sure whether another person is okay with his or her images being shared in the social media, just ask them about their personal thoughts on the matter.

Before going ahead and posting anything, ask yourself why it is that you are doing so. Plenty of times people share things on various social media platforms in order to get attention. In case you feel that you are having a difficult time at school or at home and you need someone with whom you can talk, perhaps you should try and cater to your needs in a better way. For example, if you are looking to vent about an incident that happened at school or home, people may actually wonder why you are sharing these details with every person on your social media ‘friends’ list. Ask yourself the question whether these so-called friends of yours in your ‘friends’ list are really your friends or whether you need to find someone who truly cares about you, such as close friends who really matter or your family.

Maintain a proper sense of privacy in your lives. Keep in mind that social media can be rather deceiving. When you are sharing things, you might feel that you are doing so only with a few people. However, the truth is that more people that you would really like to care are actually having the opportunity to peak into your day to day private life. Ask yourself this: would you want everyone in the whole wide world learn about you and what you do or would you simply prefer a handful of close people to know you in a more intimate manner.

“It is important to keep in mind that the things that you post on social media sites can be easily misinterpreted by others. Without understanding your body language, eye contact, or tone of voice, someone can quite easily get confused, hurt or offended about something that you are trying to convey.”