Here is the problem and the joy of social media. With just a few scrolls, you are able to see what everyone is doing and what everyone is about by what they choose to put out there. You can get all the wonderful and tragic updates of their lives and you get to see what their belief systems are made up of all by a few clicks of their mouses.
I understand what a lot of my friends are like on Facebook. Given that some of them are actually friends with my parents, I don't expect to agree with what some of them have to say and I'm prepared for that. Here's the thing, though: I probably get offended by what some of what's on my news feed everyday a little bit. Whether its by inaccurate info being mindlessly shared through memes or angry articles shared as fact that are actually very, very false. I get offended at people voicing their opinions sometimes. That's my right. However, it is purely my choice as to whether or not I respond and, if I do decide to respond, how I go about doing it. By posting something I feel strongly about and someone comments contrastingly to my opinion, that is their right. See, that's part of the circle. You risk someone disagreeing with you when you post your opinion on the internet. You risk that when you speak it as well. Granted that an exception from this are the people that take something out of a post that is completely unrelated and irrationally lash out-that's a completely separate issue.
I'm growing a little tired of seeing people posting on social media about how social media sucks. People are mad because people are mad at them. People want to quit all of social media because of things that people post. I can admire people getting off of Facebook and disconnecting, I can totally get into that, but once you state that you're quitting cuz people suck that just sounds...silly. People do suck. This is not new information. The same goes for posting things about how surprised you might be that people are against what you say and how your are going to start deleting people or people should just delete them. It just sounds juvenile. Are you really surprised? This is part of the risk you take by posting anything on the internet. Let's take responsibility for our actions, all of us.
If I am going to unfriend, or block someone, you usually won't get an announcement from me. I will just do it. Here's what will get you to that point: repeatedly posting false or misinformed articles/information, and posting any kind of hateful language/name calling.
We all absolutely have the right to our own opinions and the right to post what we please. Just because we aren't on the same page politically does not mean that I don't like you or can't be friends with you. If we were all the same then life would be completely boring, yes?
Can we not take a step back and calm down about stupid Facebook? Its not the end of the world. Frankly, I'm sure if I did threaten to unfriend people I'm sure most of them wouldn't care.
If you post a comment on a news article, don't get offended if someone disagrees with you. Try not to take the bait and get involved in an argument. You're not going to change each other's opinion anyways, so there is really no point.
If you want to post your opinion on a social media outlet, which you hold a right to, try not to act offended or surprised when people react negatively. On the reverse, if someone posts their opinion and you do not entirely agree then you do not have respond. If you do, react respectfully. How would you want to be spoken to?
If you see a meme, article about some hot button topic, or picture that is being spread virally, use snopes.com or Google to check its legitimacy. Its so simple. By clicking share too fast, you can spread the fire of misinformation and ignite more negativity.
You don't have to quit social media or quit your friends to be at peace, but be more responsible about it. Let's not loose our heads, people!
