Does “Safe Social” Exist: 11-Year-Old Self, Here’s What You Need to Know
Dear 11-year-old me,
You just created your first social media account on Facebook, which will become one of MANY pretty soon, and there are some things you need to know before you start sharing your life with your “friends”.
Don’t get me wrong, Facebook is great. It allows you to constantly stay connected with friends and family from all over the world. You have the ability to post what you’re doing, how you’re feeling, where you’re going, and anything else you can possibly imagine. I just want to make sure that you constantly stay aware of what you’re posting, so I’m going to provide you with some advice on how to successfully navigate the rapidly changing online world while practicing “safe social”.
First there’s Facebook, then there’s Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Tumblr, Snapchat, Vine, the list is honestly never ending. You will end up creating an account on all of these social media platforms, and that is okay. You’re only going along with what everyone else is doing, BUT there are also many downsides to owning accounts on these platforms. So, here are some useful tips that I’ve created to help you navigate safely.
1.Be careful with who you’re befriending and accepting. Yes, you will probably end up competing with your friends over who has the most friends and followers on Facebook, Instagram, etc. However, not everyone that’s adding you or asking to follow you has the best intentions. In a few years, you will notice on the news that there are many sickos’ in this world that are looking to lure in young children through social media. Please, make sure to pay close attention to your privacy settings so that ONLY your friends/followers have access to your content, and that you ignore all requests sent from people that you don’t know.
2. Don’t compete with your friends. No one really cares about how many likes and comments you get on your photos. Those who do, have their own self esteem issues to work on, but don’t allow that to reflect the person you think you are. Have more confidence in the person you are and the person you are becoming. Instead of worrying about which photo to post, focus on bettering yourself.
3. Make sure you understand that no one is perfect. Even the what seem to be “flawless” Instagram models and celebrities have many personal issues that they live with daily. As a soon to be 21-year-old in third year university, I have come to realize that everyone has a story. Yes, these people may seem to be living perfect lives — constantly travelling, perfect relationship, flawless skin, nicest clothes — but not everything is always what it seems. Never get too caught up in the lives of others. Stay confident in who you are, and spend less time worrying about what the Kardashians are up to (don’t worry, you’ll know who the Kardashians are soon enough, good luck).
4. Take social media breaks. Don’t waste hours of the day scrolling through Instagram or Twitter feeds. Spend more of that time making memories with your family and friends. After all, who really gives a shit about what Kylie Jenner and her baby are up to (spoiler alert: Kylie will have her first baby at 20 years old).
5. Cyber bullying will be an issue. You’ll soon realize that not everyone enjoys being kind in this world. There are many people who gain self esteem by putting others down. Ignore these people, and never give them the satisfaction. Try killing them with kindness instead, and this will impress those who see how you react. Also, it is very easy to experience miscommunication with friends and family through text. It’s hard to understand exactly how one is coming across when the conversation isn’t face to face. Try to avoid useless arguments over text, and instead take the time to meet up with the person to solve the issue.
I’m going to be honest. Living a life where everyone is glued to their phones, laptops, and any screen possible, get’s pretty annoying. As the years go by you’ll notice how less people interact face-to-face and more so through the screen they’re constantly looking down at. The best advice I can probably give you is to enjoy everything in moderation. Being addicted to social media won’t get you too far, unless, of course, it becomes integral to your career (yes, people run social media accounts as their full time job, crazy, I know). Never obsess over your phone, and don’t ever let it control your life.
Sincerely,
Your older, wiser self
P.S. You’ll be okay. I promise.
