t’s been a very difficult time these past few days, not unusual for us it seems but it has brought something to the forefront of my mind that I have thought many times before today.
For those of you who know me, you may remember that a few years ago, I suffered very much from family bullying and unkindness, on here and on my author page. Lies are easy to write on Facebook and other social media, no one can see the face of the writer or know the truth of what is being said. But we can be very hurt by the comments and also by what friends of the perpetrator say .
This morning, after another sleepless painful night, I wanted to say a few things about the pros and cons of Facebook. Please read if interested, if not please scroll by.
I have enjoyed this platform. It has kept me sane in times of stress and hurt. It has made me laugh, kept me in touch with family and friends and given me so many friends I might never meet. Messenger has enabled me to actually see people I can no longer ‘see’ because of distance. Invaluable.
I love sharing funny articles, watching my ‘family’ grow, admittingly from a distance and see those I care about, enjoying life, in pictures and posts. So all in all a good thing. Yes?
But there is another side to it. A side where people can judge you, judge others. Where people can spread stories about you that are not factual, not true. Once said, the words cannot be unsaid.Where friends can read ‘your opinion’ taken out of context and unfriend you.
Facebook should be a ‘plus’, not an instead of. It should not replace phone-calls, letters, etc. It should not be relied upon and trusted to do what you believe it will do.
Post should not be taken out of context. Taken at face value, shared as facts. Sometimes the post is just another person’s opinion, not actually the truth.
Relying on Social media, is just not the thing to do because it can let you down. It is not infallible. Yes, you can check out the facts or believe what you read but I think unless you hear it with your own ears or see it with your own eyes, it might just be someone else’s slant on what happened or what was said.Just because It is written on Facebook. DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN IT IS TRUE!
Years ago, in a much more caring world, where people took trouble to visit, talk on the telephone, write to others: we had the information needed to make decisions, either in front of us or heard. Yes may sound old fashioned but in my opinion, so much better, so much more caring.Yes Facebook. may be faster in this oh so manic world but not as emotive or sensitive.
Facts:
Facebook loses things. Facebook deletes things. Facebook often doesn’t share to our targeted audience. I know this to my detriment. Social media does not bear the brunt of it’s mistakes.
We do.
How many of you have commented on things you know nothing about? How many of you have ‘missed’ things that friends or family say they shared with you? How many of you have been the victims of nasty comments or statements on Social media with no means of redress?! Or been victims of Facebook mistakes?
What I am saying is. Please if you can, make sure what you say is true. Make sure your posts are shared to everyone on your friend list or made public so that everyone who needs to see them, does see them. If really important, please privately message those the posts are meant for,takes seconds, that way they will get them. This will save a great deal of heartache and hurt.
Lecture over. Have good Sunday.
carolannwright 