Now before I begin to sound utterly hypocritical, let me just say right off the bat that I myself am a "postaholic". I post videos, controversial articles, important pictures more than most people speak words. However, lately even in my boredom, I have chosen to limit my time on Facebook for reasons I believe each person should be aware of.
Let's face it, this world has some serious issues, and there is no ignoring it. The news is just about everywhere, especially in this day and age. Social media has become one of the most successful platforms for journalists to work with.
That being said, when I log on to Facebook, I hope to go on and see pictures of my friends or maybe exciting news about a family member. I don't have hopes of going on Facebook to see heart-wrenching videos of an abused dog or a baby who has just been aborted.
As important as issues like these are, these are pieces of visual media that having lasting effects on people. There are some images and videos that I to this day cannot get out of my head. While I am fully convinced that the person posting's goal is to put a lasting effect on viewer's hearts in order to spark change, I am also fully convinced that there are other ways that are way more effective and less harmful to viewers when going about spreading awareness of important issues that need attention.
If you are anything like me, when you see a disturbing picture on Facebook or any other social media platform, you are quick to scroll away or even exit out of the site. Most videos begin with a disturbing video or picture and then end with ways to help or ways to get involved with the manner. However, by the time the video actually has good news or advice on ways to help, the viewer may have already exited out of the material; therefore, defeating the purpose of the post.
There is so much importance in people getting a full understanding of the problems going on around the world, but maybe what is supposed to be a site built for socially connecting, may not be the best platform. In a way, people who are posting are forcing people of various ages to view this disturbing content. Facebook viewers log on with absolutely no warning of what is going to pop up on their screens as they scroll down.
This in no way is me trying to take away people's freedom to post or freedom of speech, but this is simply an open letter from someone who has limited her Facebook time due to disturbing videos or pictures she has seen. That being said I am also a firm believer in spreading the news to make people aware of issues that are near to my heart, but be careful before you post. There are several meaningful articles that don't need a disturbing featured image.
