I was never going to write an article about this. I was scared of the backlash I would receive from it. In a way, I felt like I was giving in to it all by addressing it. But after my internal debate, I finally decided to write this.
I scroll through my Facebook daily. Whether I am looking at the latest articles, seeing how my most recent articles are doing or catching up with friends and family via pictures I find myself always tempted to check. Right before clicking that blue icon on my screen I have an internal debate - do I want to see the politics right now? Do I want to be apart of the fighting, the hostility and the disagreements that scatter my home page?
Most of the time I can do a pretty good job of scrolling by - but recently that task is becoming a struggle.
Now, I am not about to tell you what to put on your personal Facebook account or any of your social media for that matter. It is your page, your posts and your domain to basically be whatever and whomever you choose. But I do have a say in how I react and how I take your posts.
Studies have been done regarding this issue. The study done by Mental Floss states "94% of Republicans, 92% of Democrats, and 85% of Independents sam they'd never change their view of an issue based on a Facebook post. About two-thirds of the study's participants also said that social media was not an appropriate place to discuss politics…"
After reading this and multiple more studies and statistics it became very clear and prominent that no one likes political opinions all of their page, it was not just me.
A lot of these articles also stated that the political posts caused people to block, de-friend or delete Facebook altogether.
As I said before I am not here trying to tell you what to post, your Facebook your rules. Yet before you hit that post button, that share button or that like button just ask yourself if it is going to make a difference. Is what you are about to post change the fact Donald Trump is president? Is it going to change the new presidential candidates for the next election? Is it going to influence anything but the anger your friends have towards your page? If the answer is no - then on behalf of me and every other Facebook friend you have please do not share it.
Political activism is something we need nowadays, we need young people voting, we need questions to be asked and we need suggestions on how to change things. Your facebook does not do that.
Make a call to the candidates' office, go out and vote, hold a sign.
Please try not to make people just trying to keep up with family and friends read your rants and political opinions.
