The Do's and Don'ts for a Smooth Sailing Experience in Social Media

Social media has always been a part of our lives, and for someone who is using it for the first time, it can be quite overwhelming. There are so many cultures and unspoken rules that have always existed in using social media. However, some don't even know about them. In here, I will be sharing some tips in using our current generation's beloved. 

1. Respect others

I believe this is the most important part of using social media. Each and every person has their own opinions, so of course, every idea is bound to have one person being against it. While banter is okay, you must always remember to respect their own opinions, and in turn, they will also respect yours.

Some people like making debates and proving a point to others. This is okay, just make sure not to turn the argument into a fight of who-can-give-the-better-insults. We have freedom of speech, but that doesn't grant us the freedom to disrespect anyone.

2. Socialize

Social media is meant to be a platform for you to interact with other people. That's the social part of social media! You can do this by posting texts, videos, or pictures that interest you. You can also try talking to others or joining a group that has the same interests as you. As long as you remember rule #1 (Respect Others), you'll have a pretty smooth ride in interacting with other people.

3. Be careful of the information you receive

Not everything written in the the social media is true.When looking at information given online, you should think that these are all made by people themselves. Anonymity is a feature that the internet provides, so anyone can taint the information and make their own news. In order to be sure which information is true, try looking for similar information about it online. If all sites say the same thing, then there's a higher chance that it's true.

4. Be careful of what you post

What I mean by this is that you shouldn't share information that can be used by others against you. When you post a text post, photo, or video, make sure that it is something that you can present to anyone without feeling an ounce of doubt or uncertainty. It should be a post that you are comfortable sharing with anyone. Remember not to share your bank accounts and passwords to anyone. Doing this would make you vulnerable to identity theft.

5. Don't air out your dirty laundry

In simple terms, don't post ambiguous messages of fights that you have had with your friends online. It's better to confront the person rather than posting about it online. It would also solve problems faster. 

6. Be yourself 

When you read someone else's posts, it's always good to know that what you see in that site is what you'll also get in real life. This also applies to you. Just be yourself. Post the things you like and don't feel obligated to follow the trends given by social media.  

7. Don't spam

Being yourself when posting in social media sites is important, but spamming is not one way to go in "being yourself." What this does is it makes your posts feel meaningless and annoying.

This rule applies to any social media networking sites. If it's a forum, don't post replies that aren't related to the thread. If it's a chat room, don't spam texts or chain mails. If it's a social media platform like Facebook, don't spam game requests to your friends. It's online etiquette that you don't. Posting things that matter the most will make your posts more important.

8. Leave a positive footprint

Everyone is always talking about negative things online, and sometimes, it helps to see a spot of sunshine in a pile of pessimistic posts. It's good to spend your energy on things that make you happy.

9. Don't plagiarize

Plagiarism is a hurtful crime. It doesn't physically injure anyone, but that person you plagiarized from may feel offended if you take their work without permission. Work done by others should always be given credit. You can do this by simply giving a link to the creator's profile.

10. Be conscious of your usage

Using social media is very fun. It's a way of entertainment and can help you relax after a day full of stress. However, you should be careful of the time you spend in these sites. Social media can be very distracting. It may keep you from interacting with the real people you are with right now and it may also keep you from doing the important things that you are supposed to do. It is important to remember that social media shouldn't consume most of our time.