One of my Facebook friends, commenting against an article I recently posted on my blog highlighting some of my life experiences, thrown in a question: "what made you think that you're a 'Life Management' expert?"
Despite being a personal attack, I didn't feel bad about it. In fact, his statement lighted up my thought process for identifying the dark shades of social media interactions: Online negativity!
Social media communication is a game that we play for various reasons: Entertainment, education, self-expression etc to name a few. And like every game, it too has certain rules and regulation that participants must follow to make it worthwhile for all.
I'm not a social media experts but, being an avid Facebook user, some of the effective rules in my opinion are:
1. Respect others' freedom of expression
Freedom of expression is at its best on social media, where people are encouraged to disclose their views on a variety of topics. Obviously, opinions would vary from north to south pole depending upon individual's belief-system and life-values.
So if someone's view doesn't fall in line with your take on the same issue, you may share own and get into a healthy debate -- but you should never show any disrespect to him, may be through offending remarks.
2. Never launch personal attack
This is by far the most notorious negative shade of social media interaction. Quite often I notice people responding arrogantly to others' posts and comments, sometime even crossing decency limits. And a few, going further, launch personal attacks through stinking comments.
Remember, on social media sites you must control naked emotional outbursts, more so targeted at others, if you wish to get the best out it and let others have the same. This would help you develop quite a few meaningful associations.
3. Make others Feel happier
People come to social media sites for taking a break from a demanding life. They come here to refresh themselves and recharge. Hence, you must try your best to make them feel better through interesting and inspiring posts and comments.
More you respect others and add values to their social media life, more you will feel happy, as, according to a latest research: Humans feel happier while giving it away, than consuming it themselves. And it, could be both tangible and intangible benefits.
If you look at every interaction on social media sites with nothing but a strong positive feeling, I'm sure you'd enjoy your time over there and let others too.
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