Seven Things I’ve Learned About Social Media

I used to be a geek.

I spent hours and days playing with new technology and drawing diagrams of our home media setup.

Eventually, I got old.  I lost interest in keeping up as things changed.  I got tired of always fighting some new technology for the privilege of remaining productive.  I started viewing technology a a tool to get things done instead of a cool thing in and of itself.

Then came social media.

One of the biggest game changers so far.

It took me a while to really settle in.  I got on Facbook as a preemptive strike…I knew my kids would eventually want in, so Mark and I figured that we’d better get it figured out before they did.  I’m ashamed of how long it took me to get hip to Twitter.  Google+ is still out on the horizon for me.

Even so, I’ve learned a few things in the few years I’ve been using social media.

1.  As with most anything, technology is not inherently good or evil.  Social media just amplifies the choices that people make.  It goes to 11.

2.  Kids will not get a Spinal Tap reference.  This is truly sad.

3.  The world moves really fast.  Blazing fast.  What feels like the end of the world today is ancient history in about 3 days, replaced by the next item in the news cycle.

4.  Social media has amplified a culture of the now, of immediate gratification.  Want to know something?  Ask the question on Twitter.  An answer will drop faster than if you google it–but it’s only as good as the answerer.  Want music?  no need to sneak off to the record shop and flip through the new releases and wish and hope for the next babysitting job so you can get the cash to buy the new Stones album.  (Ok, so it was really Duran Duran.  Don’t judge me.)  No…now you just click three buttons and it’s playing.

5.  It’s easier than ever to say or do something you regret.  And that something is permanently recorded for all of history.  Look no further than a recent college grad’s first job application.  And their Facebook timeline.  Hiring managers are becoming smarter, kids.  Even the dinosaurs use Facebook.

6.  Remember all that “sticks and stones and words” stuff?  BS.  Words can create some of the deepest, most lasting scars.  Especially when they come from someone who is called a “friend.”

7.  And about that “friend” thing…  Just because a computer tells you someone wants to be your friend, doesn’t mean they really want to be your friend.  Or that they’d be a good one.

At the heart of all of this: everything we do online is ultimately public.  Social media can help us be the best versions of ourselves, or it can highlight the worst parts.

You are judged by what you post.  Be careful what you release into the ‘net.  Once a tweet is tweeted, it’s out there.

Remember that. 

What’s your favorite social media tool?  Leave a comment….