There are many many things I love about social media. I’m a blogger, so that’s pretty much a given, right? But, social media isn’t all yummy food and happiness – I’ve got a bone to pick.
First with the positives -
1. Pinterest lately has become my cookbook and my comic book. Many an evening is spent sitting on the couch next to my daughter while we both browse through the humor boards and share things with each other that we find funny. We pass our iDevices back and forth and do a lot of giggling. She likes to use Instagram for ecard type images while I use Pinterest. I also use Pinterest to save any recipe I want to make and find it super easy to then access the recipe from the app on my phone. And, I search recipes through Pinterest quite often.
Here is a case of productive social media use (well, productive in regards to my sweet tooth) – last night I had a craving for a single chocolate cake in a mug. Searching Pinterest initially, I came up short. So, I turned to Twitter to ask for recipe help…
I didn’t get any help, but I did create the same craving in a few friends.
Then, I went to the Fitfluential Food group on Facebook. Bingo! I got 2 responses right away and by the morning there were two more! Love my foodie friends.
Although I didn’t actually make the chocolate cake (I did have a cup of sugar free hot chocolate), I now have a whole bunch of mug cake recipes saved on my Pinterest board of Recipes I Want to Make. Although maybe at this point, mug cakes need their own board. Kind of like my Pancake Board.
2. Facebook Groups – I do enjoy Facebook. However, I like it because of the groups. I’m involved in several groups, many of which are ‘secret’ and conversation can flow freely about the topics of interest to the group. I find a lot of information/support/motivation/friendship in Facebook groups. I also love Facebook for the pictures. I have a few friends that post pictures frequently of things that they’re doing – vacations, kids and all of that. It’s great to keep in touch that way – in moderation of course.
Now the negatives -
1. Facebook – I think this is a negative against Social Media in general (and maybe in life). But, I wish people would understand the impact of what they share on social media – especially Facebook. Not the stupid political stuff (that deserves a whole rant of its own – seriously – I wanted to unfriend and block so so many people during the election), I’m talking about when people post pictures of events with their friends and make comments like “the gang’s all here” or something to that effect. What about the people you didn’t invite? Do you realize they are your friend on FB and will probably see the picture and know that they weren’t invited? It’s all about the wording – you could easily say – “dinner with Sally” – or even say nothing and just post the picture. Just be careful of your wording – it makes a HUGE impact.
So, as I’m typing this, I’m thinking I’m not making this sound like the lesson I’d like it to be. But, I can’t tell you how many conversations I’ve had with people that begin – “well, I saw this picture on Facebook and I can’t believe that so-and-so did _____ and didn’t invite me”. Or “I saw something on Facebook and it pissed me off…”
2. The post about nothing – I have to say I’m guilty of this one, but I do think it’s something I’ve learned and hopefully haven’t done recently. Here’s my thought – Think of social media as a conversation starter – if you post something on social media and NO ONE responds, it’s probably not something that should have been shared. If all you hear is crickets in return to your post – take it as a lesson and next time, keep that thought to yourself. This is something that usually happens on Facebook (you know the “I’m going to the grocery store” status update), but I’ve also seen it on Instagram (and been guilty of it there myself). Please learn a little from each thing you put out there on social media – if it’s something people want to talk about, they’ll talk about it. Social Media is not a one way conversation. It’s interactive!
My daughter is obsessed with Instagram as is her entire middle school. She learned lesson number 1 quickly – several weeks ago she had a sleepover/surprise party for a friend and it did not include all of the friends in her circle of friends. She very smartly didn’t put up any pictures of the event. Aha! Smart use of Social Media at the age of 12.
Many adults can take a lesson from that.
How many of your stories begin with “I saw xxx on Facebook and now I’m mad”?
I agree with this. People need to be careful with what they put on FB, and learn to not take things seriously. Personally, I have never had drama based on it (maybe because I refuse to) but I know a lot of people who have. No bueno.
I try to laugh it off, but have been the ‘victim’ of a little exclusion at times and it’s hard to not feel bad.
I don’t usually get mad about stuff on FB, it’s more like I just laugh at it. Oh my did you see that pic so and so posted or, why in the world would someone bother to post this or that.
I agree with you about the “crickets” though….I see lots of things people post and no one comments. I was dying the other day that someone just posted what they had eaten for dinner. I had xyz for dinner. Well congratulations…no one cares!
We all fall into these traps sometimes though I suppose.
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I do usually laugh it off… but the feelings are so pervasive. I have so many IRL friends that tell me stories about things of FB that have been misinterpreted. Such a bummer.
It’s kind of ironic a friend of mine complained (on FB of course) about how hurt she was not being included in something, only to turn around and do the same. Ouch!
My 11 year old is an Instagram queen as well. Ha!
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Instagram is so freakishly hot with the middle school set. Mine is refreshing her screen constantly.
Interesting read this morning, Carrie. I always appreciate your thoughtful posts cause they make me sit and think.
I am not a huge FB sharer in regard to my personal life. I am only on it to belong to these private interest groups. I find making personal posts quite uncomfortable although I have done a couple lately.
There are some kinds of things that I am not interested in reading… don’t care about what people are eating a la WIAW or watching vlogs for the most part or reading about menus for the upcoming week… but I am sure I post about things no one is interested in too… that is what makes blogging so fun and appealing… there is an audience for everything.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts…
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Thank you Elle. I really appreciate the compliment. I love to make people think. Yes, I think we all post things that are interesting to us, but not to anyone else. Balance in all aspects of life
I am not on Facebook so haven’t experienced that so much. So true about twitter and instagram though:)
I’m impressed that you stay away from Facebook. There are definitely good points to it, but it’s also brings out the worst in people.
I wouldn’t go as far as saying “now I’m mad” but annoyed, irritated – sure.
People do post a lot of annoying things just to get attention, it’s frustrating. and I HAVE unfriended a lot of people on FB because I just couldn’t handle their rants anymore – especially during the election. Sigh. Your daughter is really smart too though, it’s amazing how much common knowledge and sense she has at such an early age.
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Thanks Kammie. I have blocked a lot of people on FB, love that option.
That’s a great point about Facebook. And even if you don’t post a pic of your private party, someone else might. I’ve certainly been hurt when I found out about events I wasn’t invited to, and I have probably done the same thing. It feels like High School all over again.
I haven’t really gotten into Pinterest. I find it a bit overwhelming and seems to suck my time. But I can see how looking for a recipe would be useful. Although, I did exactly what you did when looking for a recipe and posted on FitFluential, although on the blogger support group since I’m not in the food group, not being much of a cook!
I love twitter because it’s so fast and easy, but feel that I’m missing things if I’m not on it constantly. Yet another time suck!
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Pinterest can be a time suck. But, it’s entertaining. I usually peruse it while watching sports in the evening with my husband. I like Twitter for sharing articles, but have been much more into Instagram lately.
Interesting thoughts. I guess I am not using Pinterest to its full potential — or maybe I’m afraid I’ll get sucked into spending hours making cute deviled egg chicks again. I use Instagram sporadically – it’s great when I’m stuck at the airport. On FB, I get bored with people who just post slogans (but I love the somecards that get it just right) or re-share cute/heartwarming stories – it’s like the FW>FW>FW of FB! I honestly don’t mind hearing if a friend is going to the grocery store – I may ask them to pick me up a gallon of milk.
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I love Someecards. and I’d so love someone to pick up some milk for me. Maybe that should be an ecard – if only I was funnier.
Great post Carrie. I love Pinterest for recipes! I’m a social network junkie but like you said, there are pros and cons and you have to be so careful with what you “say”. Now I’m off to check out your cake in a mug recipe collection.
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I still haven’t made a mug cake. Must do that today.
My facebook pet peeve is when people post ambiguous things like, “I wish some people would just grow up” or “I can’t take it anymore.” Either spill it all or shut up. LOL
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Seriously! The tease is the worst – you know they want someone to ask.
I love that you posted about this. Each social media outlet seems to serve a different purpose for different people. I’m sure how I use fb, twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest is not the same for everyone else.
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