Jan. 15, 2025
Any active social media user has had the experience of typing a comment or drafting a post and then having second thoughts and deleting it.
When commenting on controversial topics, users are exposed to an overwhelming number of viewpoints. Rather than being hostile, those who want to make a critique should take an approach based on curiosity.
Questioning someone’s post is normal, but people should respond respectfully by asking for clarification or thinking about why the user made that post.
ILLUSTRATION BY IOANNA HANTZARAS
Fearing verbal or written condemnation–and even facing physical threats–some users choose to stay silent or follow popular thought. However, this goes against the purpose of social media, which encourages communication.
Seeking security in the majority opinion also prevents people from forming original thoughts that enrich conversations and encourage innovation.
Furthermore, when users avoid speaking up, disinformation and misinformation can proliferate. In blindly following what others say or choosing not to question them, online communities are increasingly exposed to fake news or incorrect information.
Users should feel comfortable sharing their ideas, but they must educate themselves first. They can do this through careful research and the skill of news literacy, which is the ability to determine the credibility of news and other information and to know what to trust, share and act on.
Being able to assess sources is crucial. Also, when users identify disinformation and misinformation online, they should raise awareness by publicly calling it into question.
If users feel anxious about sharing their informed views about a topic they care about, they should seek respectful online communities that foster acceptance and empathy. They should also remove contacts who are antagonistic or disrespectful.
Users should feel comfortable sharing their ideas, but they must educate themselves first.
These actions can improve a user’s confidence and encourage them to comment and post on topics that matter to them. This creates a ripple effect, as honestly sharing one’s beliefs online could relieve other users’ anxiety about sharing their own perspectives.
Ultimately, progress comes from authenticity, critical thinking and the courage to share educated opinions. Therefore, more users should honor their independent thoughts by contributing them to social media platforms, thus furthering the meaningful exchanges of ideas.
