Positive Social Media: Create the social media you would love to have!

Is there such a thing as positive social media? Well… There should be! Many of us are trying to develop more positive mind spaces. We pray or meditate. We think about the greater good and social development. We worry about the environment, and what we eat, consume and pollute. Andi t is precisely this concern that makes us sometimes back away from social media. I have heard many times that people stay away from social media because they want to mantain “peace of mind.” They feel that by taking part in the conversation they often feel depressed, angry, or immersed in negativity and criticism.

However, if we draw away from social media, the outcome is that social media grows in depressive contents, angry and negative situations and information, and no one stops that unhealthy wave of destructive criticism. Bottomline, we are causing a self-preserving cycle of negativity because we are not present and engaged.

So here are some tips to bring your good vibes all the way to the digital world.

Create positive contents and start positive conversations.

The world of social media is still one of the most democratic spheres. What we contribute to it matters. It is not about living in lalaland and ignoring the reality of the world. We can share things that are important, even though they are not happy or empowering contents. We do need to be informed and share information. However, we can also balance it out. We can make good news go viral. We can make achievements and Discovery, as well as new art or music, popular. Whatever we post into our social media has the potential of going viral. Yes WHATEVER, even “private” contents. So be mindful of what you want to see in the digital world. Only post what you would like to see more of.

Stop the pity party. Even if your ego feels great when everybody agrees with you that life is unfair and you’re underpaid and misunderstood, that doesn’t make social media any better, and it does not improve your life either.

Share other positive contents and conversations.

The key to viralization is to have many people sharing and “growing” a post on social media. To grow a post, you need for three things to happen to it. The first, is to react to it, call it a like or a reaction, whatever it is it makes the post come to life. The second thing, is for you to comment, reacting and providing your own input to what social media brought your way. The third and key element to viralization, is for your to SHARE the content. Whether it is a a repost, retweet, insertion, or whatever format it may be; the moment you allow a new audience to come in contact with a post, you are giving them the opportunity to keep it alive.

Choose wisely, what is really important to you? So much so that you just have to make other people know about it?

Become an active content curator

Regardless of all the efforts to develop software that detects nocive and offensive contents, there are no better curators than each of us. We have the opportunity and duty to report abusive behavior, illegal activity, and cyber threats. But you knew that, right? Just like you knew if you see a crime you call the police. But social media enables even more responsibility on users. We may also stop negative content from growing. Yes, you see a funny video where a girl lights herself on fire and for some unexplainable reason you just see the funny part and forget a human being was set on fire. If you approve of it and “grow” it, more people will get a chance to laugh at something that really in essence is not funny. So… if you stop? What if you stop those contents that may become nocive, offensive, or teach young users that THAT is funny and something that will make you famous and give status?

In social media YOU have the power.

Spread love online

Have you ever walked down the street and helped someone who couldn’t carry a bag, find their car, or take the right bus? Well… the same happens online. There are plenty of digital communities and platforms where you can help out. There are tons of independent artists and growing businesses looking for a like, share, or comment. If you can… then give it!

Promoting good causes, sharing posts of lost people or pets, promoting social causes or health funding; whatever your heart feels right, make your digital actions match.

Be the voice of reason.

Life is not about proving others just how right you are. Social media allows for a lot of negative interaction. Anywhere from insensitive remarks to open abuse, you will find all sorts of real and made up profiles attacking each other and every post that goes big. Be mindful. Know when to step in, and know when to step aside.

Instead of engaging in nonsensical arguments, sometimes it is worth to understand that you need to create content that educates the audience on those things you could not share in a comment. Make your voice be heard.

Social media can become a more welcoming, educational, and enjoyable experience, and you can make it happen!

Keep it real

Yes, I know… You want to keep it positive, and it’s not a pity party. However, it IS ok to share the fact that you’re having a bad day. It is ok to share that you have had a bad experience. One of the most destructive elements of current social media is that it is a “filtered” reality. We fix imperfections to make things look better than they really are. Tone down showing off. Yes, you might be super happy to have a boyfriend, but you do not have to share every moment with the world. Are you willing to share with the world why you broke up and got back together? Are you willing to share with the world when you find out he or she was not perfect? You would not tell everybody in the street that you are happy, so don’t do it in social media. You would also not tell everyone that your boyfriend is a jerk, your mom is annoying, or your wife can’t cook. So… don’t do it on social media.