Social Media

Do you believe that the social media of today is a forum for discussion? Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and others used to be a place to hear from family and friends, to see photos of celebrations, gatherings, new family members and old folks. I used it to share stories, poetry, to get likes and emojis. I guess those were the ‘good old days.’ Lately, I have noticed that social media is no longer very social. Posts now elicit criticism, angry responses, and/or crude comments.

When scrolling the feeds now you see all kinds of posts and hardly any from friends or family. Topics target politics, civil rights, second amendment issues, health care, business, budgets and blame. There is lots of advertising and a deluge of unsolicited opinions.  These posts are not meant for discussion or inquiry. Frequently the posts are in total attack mode. Some are mean spirited and trash talk coming from people proud to live in a country that supports freedom of speech. 

I understand people do have passionate beliefs and look for venues to post those beliefs. What I don’t understand are the posts that attack opposing viewpoints. I was taught that you state your opinion or position, support that opinion with facts, then listen and consider the opposing viewpoint. Ensuing discussion will result in either a strengthening of your perspective, agreeing with the other side of the issue, or finding some middle ground. Key word here is discussion. The current format of social media discourages it, empathizing a ‘my way or the highway’ approach. 

Would people who write offensive posts actually say those words out loud in to a person? Some most certainly would, especially those people with a tv audience or a crowd of raucous supporters and, I guess, those who post on social media to serve notice of who or what is right and wrong. 

Where will children learn discourse, discussion, and rational debate? Is social media the new teacher?