I think we have all seen how negative social media has gotten in 2020 with everything that has gone on. We can’t get away from it. Negativity on the news, on the radio, and on every form of social media. Subjecting ourselves to so much negativity is not good for our mental health and our overall happiness. I think we’ve all seen, or maybe even experienced ourselves internet fights or bashing. It’s just not healthy behavior, and truthfully not worth your time. To hopefully help promote using our voices to spread positivity I’ve outlined some questions to ask yourself before posting something negative or hurtful on social media.

1. Why am I posting this?

This should be an easy question to answer, but sometimes when you critically think about why you are posting something, you may think twice. Are you sharing something negative to get more likes or gain popularity? This is something I wouldn’t recommend. You don’t want negative minded people all over your timeline, and when you share things that are negative that is the kind of people you attract to your timeline. Think to yourself, is this something everyone already knows? Is this information I’m sharing helpful? If not, it may be better not to share a negative post. If you think about this question and realize “I don’t really have a reason to share this or comment on this” even better! Sometimes thinking before you post is worth it!

2. Who does it benefit?

Let’s be real. We all see posts that we really don’t agree with, but is it worth commenting on and arguing or harassing someone on the internet? Chances are this does not benefit anyone, including you. Making someone else feel bad about their beliefs or something they have shared online will never benefit you. It doesn’t boost your social status, it doesn’t further your career, and in the end it won’t make you feel any better about the situation. Posting long personal rants about any issue going on in the world today typically won’t benefit anyone either. Before you post or comment, ask yourself who it benefits and if it doesn’t benefit anyone, keep scrolling on your timeline and move on.

3. Are my words hurtful to someone else?

We often don’t consider how someone else will feel when not in person to person conversation with someone. You can’t read someone’s emotions through social media, and you can’t connect on a personal level. This may be the most important question to ask yourself before you post. Harassing people on the internet and cancel culture is something we see on our timelines just about everyday, and it’s very easy to be cruel to someone behind a cell phone or laptop. This is why it’s so important to think about how your words are going to make someone feel. If what you’re posting is doing more harm than good, take a second before you post and decide if it’s worth it. I think most people don’t enjoy making others feel badly, so it’s worth the time to think about how your words can hurt people online. Your goal should not be to make someone feel bad when posting online.

4. Will I still be upset about it later?

I think we have all let our emotions get the best of us at least a couple times. This happens on social media too. We see information that upsets us, and we immediately want to say something. Take the time to look inward and ask yourself if you will still be this upset about it in an hour or two. If you aren’t sure, maybe even take the time to wait an hour before commenting or posting something. Sometimes it’s better to take the time to relax and see if it’s still upsetting you. Chances are, if you take some time away from social media you’ll feel a lot better and forget about whatever upset you in the first place!

5. Is this an accurate representation of me?

Think about who you are as a person, what do you stand for? What are your values? Would you say this to someone in face to face conversation? With where technology is today, how you represent yourself on social media is just as important as how you represent yourself day to day. Employers check your social media when you apply for a job for a reason. If what you are saying to people on social media and what you are posting doesn’t truly represent you as a person, reconsider what you are posting. If you aren’t usually a really negative person, try avoiding negative posts and try sharing some more positive and uplifting posts. We could all use some more positivity on our timelines, and it starts with ourselves.

We all know 2020 has been a really rough and long year so far. But, spreading negativity and harassing people online is just adding fuel to that fire. Ask yourself how you can spread more positivity on your timeline.