October 13, 2015

Social Media Etiquette

Social media etiquette. With everyone on social media these days, this is a hot button issue. There are so many people who use social media inappropriately. Oversharing, being obnoxious or rude, trying to start fights, or just generally being an unpleasant, unwelcome presence. It’s one thing to be rude on your own feed, it’s another thing when someone else’s online behavior affects you, your family, or your children. This can happen if someone posts photos of your kids without asking or if they share personal information about your family with their community. Although some people don’t treat it as such, the same rules of for politeness and etiquette one would have in real life apply online as well. This is especially important in the adoption industry. Some individuals are trying to maintain a certain level of privacy, depending on the adoption agreement they have. Others may not want information about their children, their adoption, or their family shared with a network of people they don’t know. And it’s okay to hold your family and friends to your personal standard. If anyone in your life is making you uncomfortable with what they post online, or how they’re exposing your family, it’s important that you sit down and talk with them about how their behavior affects you, and what you’d prefer they not share or say online.

Here are some other basic rules for online social media etiquette:

Do not post photos of someone else’s child without their permission. Everyone has different rules about when and how they want their children to appear on social media. Once uploaded, these photos are extremely difficult to take down, and no one should have to suffer having visuals of them or their children out in the ether without their permission. If you have a photo of someone’s child you’d like to post, especially if it’s a young child without their own social media profiles, ask the parent. Don’t assume you have free reign to post and share as if the child were your own.

Don’t ask invasive questions in comments or on public threads. Do you have a personal question you’d like to ask someone? Pick up the phone! Don’t ask them to reveal something about themselves, or put them on the spot on their public feed. Boundaries are so important. Any personal discussions should be had via private messenger, via phone, or in person. If you’re ever doubting whether or not to post or ask something, there’s your cue: don’t do it.

Think before tagging. Not everyone likes to be tagged in everything. Maybe people want a bit of privacy, maybe they don’t want a photo posted without their approval, maybe they’re just trying to stay off the grid and don’t want everyone in the world to know where they are. Don’t assume that people want their face or location blasted out to the internet just because you’re all having a good time.

Curb the negativity. It’s not fun or enjoyable to read through a feed with a whole bunch of people ranting and raving. Don’t post every negative thought that comes into your head, and please don’t do it trying to start a fight. Especially when it’s your family or friends, and especially if it’s their feed you’re being negative on. Social media should be fun, and enjoyable. No one wants to be subjected to someone who’s constantly flooding Facebook with negative comments.

Consider the recipient. Think about person you’re trying to engage in social media. Are they not an over-sharer? Do they not like photos of themselves? Have they said they don’t want their children to be anywhere near social media until they’re a certain age? Are they a generally private person who wouldn’t want acquaintances knowing their private information? Engaging people on social media requires the same sensitivity and awareness you’d have in real life. Think before you push too far.

What are your social media pet peeves?