Growing up in a generation where social media has been a constant presence in our lives from a young age, sometimes it's hard to remember that our persona on social media says a lot about who we are. While this persona might be a little different from who we are in real life (i.e. someone who is really shy can be more outgoing on the Internet), it's important that what we post on social media portrays a positive image of us.
As someone who has had a Facebook for probably five years, there are a few specific types of statuses I see over and over again which don't necessarily cast the post-er in a positive light. I decided to make a list of the most common ones, each of which either ignores social media "etiquette" or is just plain annoying. And so, without further ado, here are some Lindsey-approved guidelines for you fine folks of Facebook: 8 questions you should ask yourself before clicking post.
1. Do I know how to spell the words I'm typing, or how to correctly use the English grammar that I learned in second grade?
If your answer is no, or even that you’re not sure, please refer to a dictionary and/or grade school grammar textbook website before posting. One might argue that Facebook is colloquial enough that grammar isn't important, but if you're trying to make a point about something, bad grammar is distracting. I obviously am not the first person to comment on this, but the fact remains that a good deal of statuses I see confuse the (very challenging!) uses of “there,” “they’re,” and “their,” or, at the very least, have a possessive “it’s” or two. Get it together, people! As for using big words that you can’t spell, just…don’t.
2. Is the post I just wrote a long raging paragraph about how bad everyone's grammar is on social media?
If yes, I wouldn’t post that one either. I know I just said something about bad grammar, but it’s different when it’s your status because everyone has to see it. If you post something along the lines of “Disgusted by the bad grammar I see everywhere” (probably followed by something snarky like “Go back to school, please & thank you”), you sound like a whiny, entitled know-it-all who has nothing better to do than scavenge the Internet for misplaced semicolons.
3. Do I know what the word "ignorant" means?
If your answer is yes, ask your self again. Do I know what “ignorant” means? This particular trend has gotten to be a real pet peeve of mine. People misuse the word so frequently that “ignorant” has become interchangeable with “stupid,” and is often used as an adjective to describe someone with whom the speaker does not agree. But guess what, everyone! “Ignorant” means that someone is lacking awareness and knowledge, either in a general sense or in regard to something specific.
Take, for example, calling your professor ignorant because he wouldn't let you hand your homework in late, or your boss ignorant because he fired you for being late too many times. In both of these cases, "ignorant" does not make sense. Unfair or too harsh, maybe, but not ignorant. Simply disagreeing with someone does not always entitle you to label them as ignorant.
If you're going to post about someone that annoyed you (not that I necessarily recommend this, either), at least choose proper adjectives.
But enough about grammar…
4. Is my post about an uncomfortably controversial topic?
What classifies as uncomfortable, you ask? Well, here’s a helpful hint. If whatever you are about to post features a picture of a fetus with the words “Choose Life” written in bold letters, slowly back away from the screen. “But why?,” cries the outraged champion of life, “I’m only posting what I believe.” That may be the case, but it’s a rare day that an aggressive Facebook post is the catalyst for change amongst the masses. And in my opinion, posting about anything very controversial shows an ignorance of what I’ll call “social media manners.”
5. Is this a joke I read on Twitter?
If your answer is yes, stop right there! If you saw the joke on the Internet, chances are a lot of your Facebook friends did too, and reposting it on Facebook like you came up with it yourself is lame.
6. How many consecutive Man Crush Mondays have I posted a picture of my boyfriend?
If your answer is any number higher than one, postpone this week’s installment. If you’re a guy, the same general rule applies. While it’s acceptable—and maybe even endearing—to post a picture of your significant other every so often, it becomes less endearing the more frequently it occurs.
Photo Credit: Common White Girl Twitter Page @CommonWhiteGirl
7. Is my post about deleting FB friends?
I get it. You have annoying Facebook friends. You don’t know who half of them are. Ah, yes, realizing that perhaps you shouldn’t have added 1500+ people back when you first made a Facebook is a valuable lesson learned. I’m in the same boat. But even so, a passive-aggressive post about the frenzied deleting spree on which you are about to embark only comes across as childish. If your status says something to the effect of “I’m sick of all the drama in my life,” then posting is a double no, because it’s pretty unlikely that Facebook is really the culprit. Besides, if you’re really going to go through with it, you have no time to waste! FB friend spring-cleaning is no quick task.
8. Is this a picture of my adorable pet?
If so, YES! By all means post as many pictures as you want of your cat or dog or rabbit, you name it. The sky is the limit here. Did your dog just wake up? Post a pic of his sleepy little face. Taking him for a walk? Make sure to get a few good action shots. Is your cat in the mood for a selfie? Seize the opportunity and take at least ten. Seriously, if you’re unsure if you should post whatever’s on your mind, assume that “no” is the correct answer and post about your pet instead.
I think that what is appropriate and what is not appropriate can be a sticky area on social media because so many people don't think that what they post has any bearing on how they come across in real life. In my experience, however, the things people choose to put online can really influence how others think of them. Just because you're not face-to-face with the people you are addressing does not mean that tact and self awareness should fall by the wayside.
