Social media has impacted the world in unimaginable ways; with a touch of an impacted button — and a solid connection — we can send our thoughts out to the world in a revolutionary way we couldn't just about ten years ago. Social media has presented itself in the form of a boon, and we can make good use of it. If we do not understand our social media responsibility and do not act sensibly on our online pages, it can be a destructive tool. Most of us do not understand or relate to the term Social Media Responsibility. In simple terms, it is the correct way to communicate and behave while you are interacting or presenting yourself on social media.
Just like every other form of communication, how you communicate on social media is essential. To act as a responsible citizen of the nation and use social media effectively where no one is harmed in any way, this is what you must follow :
DON'T BE GLUED TO YOUR LAPTOP OR SMARTPHONE
This one is pretty simple. As great as the virtual connections are, there's a whole world out there that can't be seen through your smartphone! Schedule your social media time for few hours a day and spend time with real people. Spend time with your parents, your family, your real-world friends.
BE MINDFUL OF EMOTIONS
There's no way to get a message back once you hit send, even deleting the offending message might not help if someone has taken a screenshot on if the site is "cached" buy a site such as Google. Take some time to mull over your feelings before posting something you might regret; after all, no one wants to be internet famous for the wrong thing! Avoid posting messages or pictures which can be hurtful to someone's ethnic or religious sentiments.
KEEP THINGS AUTHENTIC
We all know that it's possible to create an entirely new identity on the internet ... but is it necessary? Be yourself and be friendly on social media to avoid any unnecessary drama. Do not fake identities and make multiple profiles to harass people unnecessarily. There are punishments against such cyber-crimes.
LEARN TO LET IT GO
Things can sometimes get tense on social media, especially if no one cares about the first rule on the list! Take the high road when someone is disrespectful. In other words, don't feed the trolls! Just ignore such word wars and Concentrate on what is more important. Encourage others to do so. You don't need to respond to every tweet or comment — sometimes, it's good to get a bit of time to your thoughts. After all, how can you process how YOU feel about today's big event if you're constantly bombarded with what everyone else thinks! Carve your path, and do not get blown by petty incidents on social media.
HUMOUR IS FLEETING; THE INTERNET IS FOREVER
Remember that hilarious or silly post that got a ton of likes? It might be funny today, but imagine if your boss or romantic interest saw it three years from now, they would probably appear not as amusing. In other words, what you post today, might have less than pleasant results tomorrow! Be careful of your humor.
DON'T POST PERSONAL INFO
This rule is helpful for every person on social media. There are people online who'd like to take advantage of your trust us, and don't give them the opportunity! Don't post your phone number, address, or even when you're going somewhere! People post their check-ins and holiday pictures all the time. But, be careful of the extent of information you reveal so that nobody can misuse that information. Better to be safe than sorry.
DO NOT BULLY OR TREAT OTHERS
Even though people are not seen or visible in real on social media, bullying or threats can be taken seriously by the authorities. If you are trying to Harass someone or sending threatening messages, you can be booked under charges and sent to Jail. It is not difficult to determine the real people behind social profiles and their locations when cybercrime cell gets down to work. Be polite and encourage others to do so.
DON'T PLAGIARIZE
Copying an essay or other academic writing is a definite 'no-no' in school and college. However, the same holds for content on social media. Taking writing from an outside source without giving credit is plagiarizing— even if you found it on Facebook or Twitter. If you must share, do give due recognition to the owner or creator of that contained. These are the essential things to do while you are using social media.
REPORT WRONG AND SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES
While on social media, if you come across something which is raising the alarm in your mind, for example, a profile that doesn't seem authentic, or someone posting threatening messages, or someone harassing females on social media, or someone making misuse of it for personal gains, you must report them immediately. Do not think and wait for someone else to do it.
Social media is a fun place to be. It makes it almost effortless to stay in touch with friends and family, regardless of location. Nowadays, it is serving as the best tool for businesses too. It would help if you used it responsibly.
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