Social media manners and ethics we need to adhere to, To my feeble knowledge :
- First of all whether it is Instagram or Facebook, please DO NOT photobomb!!! One or two pictures will do. Once a while a batch of pictures when you go on tour will be fine. Even a series of tour albums must be fine if and when you hop from place to place. But no recollection and reposting of memories please unless they’re very special!
- Do not talk too much about your kids’ success. Some over there aren’t even parents and may not become parents. And many of those parents out there may not have brightest kids like yours! One of the most sensitive issues is the kids stories parents post in social media. You can share the graduation picture, an instrumental recital or a competition prize or sports award for instance. Anything more than that like detailed academic achievements, contest/match wins etc., are irrelevant. I am surprised at kids who allow their parents to post their scuba diving and mountain trek pictures.
- We all love our spouses, kids, who says no. Too many family pictures not welcome. How many broken families we have in our midst. Once a while cute family pics will look great!
- Party pics once a while fine. Shopping pictures rarely. Outing with friends is something most can identify with. Must be okay in moderation.
- Restaurant/eating out pics in moderation (preferably with friends)
- Black & white or old family albums fine. Childhood/old wedding pics/school day pics win hearts.
- Family weddings/birthday celebrations/anniversaries are fine without having to splash/photobomb. Moderation is the word.
- Fitness routines must be double okay! We all love to hear the extra push you give.
- Foodies most welcome to share mouthwatering recipes and pics!
- Cute animal/babies stuff super duper okay!
- Flowers/wildlife/anything beautiful and creative are like a breather.
- Music and dance are appealing.
- Let others tell their stories too. We can always host a private blog where we can detail our personal experiences. Let not social media become vehicles for our personal victory display. Or we can load everything to Google photos or similar platform and share link.
- Politics can be minimal without inciting hatred. The purpose for being in social media is to connect with people, not disconnect. Again, all of us post sensitive political matters but let us make sure we do not infringe on anyone’s self-respect or dignity when we post anything online. This unwritten rule applies to me as well. One man’s freedom fighter is another man’s terrorist. World goes around on this principle.
- Religion is fine but inciting hatred with religious stuff is not tolerable. Once a while even I enjoy reading verses from the Bible or the Koran so I hope even our Bhagwad Gita and other quotes and temple views will be tolerated in the same vein. Social media that way can be a great place to soak up on others’ culture. While we have every right to wear the badge of our faith on our social media sleeve, we do not have a right to express opinion on others. We have to stick to our guns, that’s all. We have no business with others. As simple as that.
- Do not share cruelty pictures/rape stories/death and destruction/bloodbath videos or anything that has to do with violence or despair in social media. I find this extremely disturbing. I may write a thousand stories on this in my personal blog but even hearing a word such as rape from a male even in social media can be very upsetting to me. I do think my friends have a similar mindset. I don’t understand this psychology either.
- Stay off super sensitive issues concerning safety and security of people or nations.
- Stay off taboo subjects. Not all have appetite for this kind of info.
- Do not provoke any individual/community via social media and contribute to escalating tension in a peaceful society. Harmony in an inter-dependent society more important than your stupid nonsense and arrogance.
- Do not discuss controversial issues social/political/economic. A light sarcastic post must do. In-depth analysis is for mass media, not social media
- Social media educated are the dumbest asses. Let us keep that in mind.
- Do not post personal details for your own security.
- Do not discuss your health in social media.
- Do not vent in social media your anger, frustration, jealousy etc. This is not where we seek justice.
- Do not share your sob stories with your social media friends. First of all they may have no clue. Secondly this is not a burden that they must share. Thirdly they do not know the other side. Finally who cares. So stop making a fool of yourself.
- Do not preach too much by way of messages/quotes. One or two wisecracks are fine.
- Small celebrations like a promotion in professional life can be shared in social media safely without inviting envy.
- Little perks such a new automobile or an Apple phone can call for a social media celeb, no problem.
- Daily civic issues of your corporation, village road, metro rail, water supply, power cable issue – all these can be dealt at Whatsapp group level. No need to discuss these trivial non-issue matters in social media as most of your buddies will have be having nothing to do with your local problems. There is no need to forcefully educate them on what is happening in your front.
- Most importantly, when you read a book, please do not publish the story in Facebook the next day when you finish! When you watch a picture in TV/Netflix/Prime/Cinemas, please do not write a review in the Facebook. Reserve that to your blogpost where not every social media buddy of yours makes it a point to stop. This one single ethic that we may have/practice can go on to tell a lot on our character.
- Unless yours is a business account, try not to sell Amway or LIC policies!
- Sharing social causes is fine.
- Share inspiring stories.
- Share fun stories and games and puzzles.
- Share positive stories and avoid negative vibes.
- Do not tag someone without their permission.
- Do not include pictures of others’ family or home without their permission.
- It takes nothing not to hurt someone in social media, not to dent others’ pride. Let proud people stay proud.
- Do not get into arguments with friends in social media. It is not worth it. I have done that mistake but I am wary of repeating it in future.
- Most of us use social media for diversion mainly. We come here to relax, not to get worked up. Please let us all remember that.
- Complement others generously. Be a giver not always a taker. It costs nothing to put a smile on someone’s face.
I am not sure if I adhere to these unwritten social media rules myself but I try to follow as much as I can.
vijiravindran's 