Social Media and Social Responsibility

Writers everywhere are trying to create a social media platform. They join every single big site. They pimp novels. (This totally does not work people) They push their friend’s books. (Also made of fail unless it is a release day). And generally, they make a nuisance of themselves. Scroll through your Facebook or Twitter and see how far you need to go to see a real person talk. They get the whole social media but they forget social responsibility.

I was looking at Facebook the other day and a lovely woman posted a picture of her friend dressed up for an event. Her friend was beautiful. She had obviously taken a lot of time with hair and nails and an outfit. Do you know what people were saying? NOT ONE THING.

 How mean was that?

Isn't it tough enough to have a positive body image in today’s society without totally ignoring a lovely person? I can guarantee you that this woman could not possibly feel as lovely as she looked. I know this because when I was younger, I was a very pretty woman but I didn't think so. Thank God that there wasn't social media then to confirm what I suspected was true. I would have never left the house. I wouldn't have met my husband or ever had my six children.

You are never going to give offense with an honest compliment. I told the woman that she looked beautiful. She did. Someone else being lovely, or wearing a pretty dress, or even showing off a new manicure does not take one darn thing away from you. Take a second of your precious time and say so. Your comment might be the one positive thing in their day. You won’t ever know if what you said mattered because you can’t know the horrors they may face in their everyday life. But maybe, just maybe, your words will turn their day around.

Everyone is all against bullying. We teach our children to be nice and not to judge or harass people. But I am here to tell you that this isn't enough. Teach them kindness and caring and start by being supportive of others and their interests not only in your real life, but online.

I think we all want to leave the world a better place. Hopefully how we act will make a mark on people and places that we love. If you’re using social media, then you have the responsibility of making the virtual world a better place, too.

We can’t all buy someone in need a car, or pay off their hospital bills, but we can all take the time once a day to give someone a compliment. It’s a little thing. But sometimes the little things are what matter the most and what make the biggest difference.