Spread the “Likes”

So here’s something I never thought I’d be grateful for: social media.  I know, I know. I’m well aware of the dangers of it, to us and to our kids. The inherent FOMO, the posturing and ridiculousness of it all. The potential for misuse, bullying, mind control. (Remind me why we’re all here, again?) Social media truly can be the devil. 

But. 

Like most things, there are two sides to this story. Because, algorithms aside, we are in charge of our social media. And when I realized that, it changed for me. Yes, if you slow your scroll for one funny cat video, you will be presented with 5 gazillion more of the same. But you looked at that typing kitten in the first place, mister. 

We are the boss. We can hide what we don’t want to see.  This feels like incredible power. You can’t do that in real life, folks. There is no mute button on actual humans, like there is on Insta. Not that I condone muting real people. That would be wrong. But maybe the availability of a 30-day snooze function, at least, would prove to be a useful conflict-avoidance tool.  Just sayin’.  

On the flip side, you can connect with people you might not otherwise be able to meet. People you admire. Heck, you might comment on one of your very favorite author’s posts, only to have her respond to you and start a conversation, leading to her making a video about you and freaking.emailing.it.to.you. It could happen.

You can curate what you see, adding content that makes you smile, discovering new accounts to inspire you, connecting with old friends and acquaintances you’d probably never keep up with otherwise (even though it’s somehow comforting to know that their kids are talented volleyball players, they have a successful business, and/or they are learning to card wool). Your social media feed, like most things in this world, is what you make of it.  Except, I would argue, even more so. 

And you can use your social media time to boost people up.  Instead of mindlessly scrolling, you can engage and let people know when you enjoy something they’ve put out into the universe. It feels just as good to spread the “likes” as it does to collect them yourself. Maybe better. 

I still see too many stories about the British royal family (which is my own damn fault), but right now, at least, I’m also seeing the bright side of social media.