A better way to use social media

Helene Bam
Octavia Tsibes

Social media is an essential part of any young person’s life. For many it is a way to connect with others and make new friends and for those who have too much time on their hands, social media can be used as a source of entertainment.

The youth tend to use social media differently compared to adults. I've noticed a few adults have restricted profiles on social media while the young ones do not really consider privacy and is shared on social media.

Some of the things we post on these social media platforms can be destructive. It can be fun when posting material on social media because we do not think about the consequences. We tend to upload personal or inappropriate information and photos on our social profiles.

Many employers now even consider going through their potential employees' social media profiles before hiring them. Imagine losing out on a job because of the content you post on social media.

Your grammar on social media should be flawless. Avoid typos and double-check your statements before you post them. Make sure you do not upload pictures of your abs, cleavage, and drunken evenings with friends or making obscene gestures to the camera.

You need to practice social media politeness. There are people who use the social media vacuum for many other purposes and they raise up too many deceptions. We might know some of our social media friends who flash expensive things on social media and when we run into them in public we realise they were just lying about the things they own.

Always be very modest because not all of your friends are going to be happy about what you do. So many young people have transformed their life into the amount of “likes” they get on social media.

No amount of likes on social media can determine who you are. At the end of the day some likes and social media fame does not pay the bills so do not get your blood boiling over simple things. And also, go easy on the filters and edits when you are trying to touch up your photos. It has come to a point on social media where people have distorted themselves - they are so out of touch with themselves and who they are.

There is nothing wrong with filters but a few people abuse them. How do you edit a picture to a point where we do not know the real you from the “edited version” you upload on social media? Clearly if that is happening often then it means disaster. Take it easy and be safe on the net. I also have to conform to some of the things I write here. In no way do I claim I use social media better, I just felt like sharing some of my concerns regarding how others use it. Be safe on the internet and make sure you are cautious of what you upload.

octavia@myzone.com.na