It’s hard today to find someone — including myself — that does not express their emotions through a form of social media.
Similarly, it’s become almost imperative for an individual to say something online in order to receive feedback from the now “critical” audience known as the Internet.
But when does it become too much?
I’ll be the first to admit that I tweet far too much on the world’s currently favourite social media Twitter.
I have a lot of opinions. I tweet about sports, my family’s strange tactics, or random thoughts that make absolutely no sense to anyone but me.
At least I understand that my personal life, and personal problems and thoughts are not to be disclosed to the entire world.
Facebook users are constantly writing massive paragraphs for their statuses about various ways life pisses them off.
It’s used as an outlet to complain about people they can’t stand, how many people have broken their heart in the last three months and self-pitying woes that they’ll find love.
We get it. Life is awful.
The issue that bothers me the most is not even finding out that people are pregnant at 16 and “love their boyfriend.”
It’s when people don’t take responsibility for what they write online.
If you’re willing to tell me about your latest series of unfortunate events online, then I have every right to comment my informed opinion on what I think of it.
A few weeks ago, I got accused of not being given “permission” to share something someone had said on Twitter in an article, I couldn’t help but laugh.
The idea of “public domain” means nothing to anyone anymore.
Everyone can see your Facebook information. Everyone can read your tweets.
If it’s not something you would shout in the middle of campus, please don’t tell the world on the Internet.
The reality is most individuals seek attention when they express something irregular on a social media.
Whether it’s a daily complaint, a picture of their new engagement or a constant countdown to their upcoming wedding day in a year and a half, they just want others to comment for attention.
I don’t disregard the benefits of social media.
Many companies, writers, sports teams and political figures use Twitter as a way to reach out to their readers and fan base, when normally they would not be able to do so.
The other day, for example, my favourite curler and Laurier alumni John Morris tweeted at me regarding being a Laurier student.
The same theory applies to Facebook and my dad is a prime example.
He found his high school best friend after a few years apart and they were able to rekindle their friendship.
It was great to see, and it was because of social media that it occurred.
It truly is a great public access — when used properly.
As a student journalist, in the last couple months the majority of my tweets have been circulated around sports, school and the daily complaints about being a university student that gets sick weekly.
I appreciate the constant tweet about something informative.
I will admit I can be damn annoying on Twitter, but I refuse to yell across my Facebook page about how drunk I can’t wait to get because everything sucks and how I’ll be #foreveralone.
Keep using social media.
Let it prosper for humans to make networking easier.
But don’t use it as your personal diary for everyone to read when it’s meant for you.
Don’t use it to bounce your personal life’s thoughts and then get mad when people comment against you.
If you really feel the need to verbally express your unhappiness, buy a journal.
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