SOCIAL MEDIA DOESN'T HAVE TO BE NEGATIVE: THE LOW DOWN

Saturday

Welcome to another post in my The Low Down series, where I give you the low down on important stuff.


When social media first became a thing, it was a great way to keep in touch with friends and family. Over the years, it has developed so much that there are so many different functions and reasons to use social media. I work as a social media coordinator, so I find that I am always using it as I use it for business, but also in my free time.


Iphone with social media apps on screen

Negativity in social media


As we know, as well as being a great marketing tool and a way to keep in touch with friends, or even stay up to date with your favourite celebrities, it can also be a toxic place.


It's so easy to let social media rule your life and compare your life to the perfect lives of others, or compare the way you look to the heavily edited Instagram pictures. We have all looked at pictures and thought I really wish I had their life, right? I get it so bad with travel photos or just any boujee photos in general, I'm like I wish I was doing that right now.


But we need to remember, people only tend to share their best moments on social media. It's so easy to take it as fact and think wow that person's life is so good - why isn't mine like that? The truth is, they are probably only sharing their highlights with you.


Tips for creators


If you are a creator, the best way to exude positivity in your posts is to sometimes be a bit negative - if that makes sense. The more real you are on your platform, the more people are going to relate to you. If you share real-life things that maybe aren't highlights, this will help remind your audience that social media creators are real people.

Related: Toxic positivity: the low down

My favourite creators on Instagram, are the ones who are just honest and real. Or, it's ones who use their platform to try and normalise things that the media usually tries to push out such as larger body types and disabilities.


Tips for social media users


For anyone using social media, even if you are just scrolling, you will need to take care of what you are doing. When you are mindlessly scrolling, you are not in control of what you are taking in. You may not think anything of it, but all that you are taking in while scrolling could subconsciously be damaging.


You need to set boundaries and remember that using social media is ok in moderation. Moderate what you are looking at and try to only look at things that make you happy.


Unfollow Unfollow Unfollow


If there are accounts that make you feel negative, even if they don't mean to, you are within your rights to unfollow these people. For example, if someone is posting positive highlights about their life and it starts making you feel bad about your own life, unfollow.


You don't owe these people, even if you know them personally, you are free to pick and choose who you follow to make using social media a positive experience for you.

Related: My journey to confidence: the low down

What measures do you put into place to ensure you have a better experience on social media?

6 comments

  1. I agree that unfollowing is a way to get rid of negativity.

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  2. I unfollow those who bring negativity! Social media doesn't have to be a negative experience and it is literally what you make of it! x

    Lucy | www.lucymary.co.uk

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  3. These are all such good points. I find social media have become quite toxic especially with the people who portray a false perfect life. But you’re right by setting boundaries social media can be positive and even helpful. I miss the old days tbh, when Instagram for example was just a photo app! *sigh*

    Maria | themarize.com

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  4. Great tips! I try to avoid any accounts that make me feel negative and follow the ones that inspire me. Thanks for sharing!

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  5. It's great to finally read a positive and constructive post about social media!
    Rosie

    https://www.loverosiee.co.uk

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  6. Great post! I have a love/hate relationship with social media (specifically instagram). I've been trying to curate my feed, so there's a lot less negative anxious feelings about it. Like you said, I've been unfollowing anyone who doesn't inspire me, make me feel good, etc. xxx

    Melina | melinaelisa.com

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