life skills social media
Ways Teens Can Use
Social
in a Positive
Media
Way
7Jennifer Campbell and Rebecca Newman
Social media is a double-edged sword in our society.
How can something be, simultaneously, so impactful
and so destructive? Even though communication
online is indirect, the feelings are real. The words
are powerful. There are consequences on both
sides of the interaction that cannot be measured.
This is why it is so important to use social media
responsibly and in a positive way.
For all the bad we encounter online, there is just as much good,
and there are powerful ways to put even more good out into the
world. Here are 7 ways teens can use social media in a positive way.
1
Use social media to build up your friends.
Friends support each other and treat
each other with respect; this should
also be true online. When people put
themselves out there on social media, their friends
should be sharing, liking, tweeting—all the online versions of
shouting from the rooftops! Imagine being able to post with
confidence because you know your friends will support you.
2
Schedule in - person interaction.
Nothing can take the place of spending actual face
time with people. When most of our interaction
with friends happens online or in text messages, we
aren’t practicing our direct communication skills. The skills you
obtain from resolving conflict and processing emotion in real
time will serve you throughout your entire life, especially in the
workplace.
3
Be as real as possible online.
This does not mean airing your dirty laundry to
the world. Social media is not the place to discuss
the details of your failed relationship! It does mean
sharing your ups and downs and admitting when you struggle.
Many teens using social media see so much perfection that they
begin to question the quality of their own lives. Find that sweet
spot between perfection and oversharing.
Stay aware of current events and what is going on in the world.
Find out about it on social media but get the story
from reliable news sources. One of the greatest
negative aspects about social media is that everyone shares their
opinion and too many people give too much credit to people
who are not qualified to be talking about a given topic.
Make community impact videos.
Organize projects that can positively impact your
community. Recruit help on social media and document
the progress and positive outcomes. It’s about
your community, not your good deeds, and you must respect the
privacy of others involved.
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16 | Fall 2020 www.potentialmagazine.com