In our society where social media has become so accessible and a good platform to gain exposure, it has become a staple in our lives. Other than the primitive purposes of connecting with others and expressing ourselves, such as with Instagram or Facebook, it offers many more opportunities. We can display creative content with YouTube and Pinterest, deliver news easily through social media, gather information about a candidate for a job or a college admission with LinkedIn and bring people with common interests together with Twitter, now known as X. However, because of its scope, it is also difficult to regulate. For this reason, we should keep in mind the following rules.

Not everything that you see is true. Although such a rule applies to any source of research and news, it is especially true for social media platforms. They are easy to access and use, help speed up communication and have a significant role in spreading timely and useful information. However, a major drawback is that it is difficult to correct false information. This has allowed fake news to spread, which can be used for defamation or to spread disinformation or misinformation. To prevent falsely accusing someone or being influenced by false media that is designed for propaganda, one must critically evaluate the information in regards to source and bias. Additionally, you should form your own opinion in regards to the topic rather than passively absorbing information.

Be aware of the difference between criticism and hate speech. Social media makes hiding one’s identity very easy, allowing people to be careless in saying or doing things that they never would do when interacting with people face to face. Although criticism is necessary for clear wrongdoing and misconduct, some incidents tend to take it too far and devolve into cyberbullying. Such behavior includes spreading lies, posting embarrassing photos or videos of someone, sending threatening messages and pretending to be someone else entirely. Victims are prone to physical and mental harm as if they were physically bullied. For this reason, we should clearly establish the difference between constructive criticism and pure hate and be careful with what we post and comment. What you should not say in front of someone’s face should not be said online as well. We should also encourage cyberbullying victims to reach out for support from those they trust.

Keep reality and social media separate. Due to how much entertaining content social media platforms contain, they can lead to addiction and people becoming detached from reality. Social media is usually a place where people cherry-pick what they display. As a result, unconscious and passive scrolling can lead to a distorted view of the world we live in. People are likely to be comparing themselves to famous people they see without considering that those people have different backgrounds; in addition, such content tends to be scripted and manipulated. Such a trend can lead to negative self image, glorification of unethical conduct and the need to boast on social media. At the same time, relationships can suffer if we become too immersed in social media. We must keep in mind that the content that we see on social media reflects one’s ideal life and we should not compare our worst with their best.

Do not reveal too much about yourself and be careful with whom you meet on social media. What one posts on social media can stay up for a long time and be viewed by numerous people including friends, family, future employers or school admission boards. What you posted in the past can later get in your way of life and follow you for a long time. Content on the internet is almost impossible to remove and lasts for a very long time. You should always think twice before posting or commenting because your record can follow you. Also, when it comes to meeting new people through social media, we must keep in mind that the people we see on social media may not be who they really are. As much as it is important to be cautious of whom you befriend in-person, the same applies to online.

Although the world that social media presents can be alluring, it is never identical to the real world and can be a double-edged sword depending on how you use it. If used wisely and intentionally, it can promote a positive image of yourself. However, if not used properly, it can lead to isolation from your everyday life, poor mental health, harassment and you surrounding yourself with the wrong people.