Social media is a blessing and a curse. We have the right to post whatever we want, and that's great. On the other hand, sometimes our posts can cause more trouble than what they're worth. I see this daily on my Facebook timeline and Twitter feed. It seems like some people just like to stir up trouble by dropping their opinions off where they don't belong. We all have the right to freedom of speech, but social media is really not the place to shove your opinion down other people's throats.
There's a difference between posting content that expresses your opinions and making posts that promote hate and/or extreme political opinions, which will likely ignite a heated argument. Cyber arguments aren't only immature and asinine; they're cowardly. If you post controversial content for all of social media to see, be prepared to experience backlash. Arguing online is like arguing with a brick wall. No matter how well you sell your side of the argument, the other person is not going to budge. When arguing online, you feel powerful because there's no confrontation or danger, so you have the ability to say practically whatever you want. Stay away from content that will promote arguments.
Most importantly, we must remember that what we post on social media is a reflection of ourselves and how others perceive us. I tend to take note of everyone I see on social media who continuously makes hateful, ignorant posts, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Publishing content on social media that promotes extreme ideas and opinions is definitely not worth the trouble. Regularly posting extremely opinionated content will isolate yourself from those not like yourself. As a society, we need to focus on joining forces and coming together, not furthering the divide.
So, as a rule of thumb, ask yourself a few questions before posting. Is what you're posting respectful to your followers/friends? Is it necessary? Do you want people to associate you with this post? Are your words hurtful or hateful? Yes, you have the right to post whatever you want, but that doesn't mean that you always should. Keep social media pleasant for everyone. Think before you speak and type!
