How To Handle Negativity On Social Media
Written by Trinity Duong
Social media can be a very vulnerable place for influencers and brands. When sharing content it’s important to attach personal attributes to it to render an increasingly more unique perspective. You show your life, your emotions, and most importantly you. Whether it’s formatted in a blog post, an Instagram selfie or a Youtube video you are showing your life, and oftentimes these vulnerable areas can be taken advantage of and attacked by online trolls fiending for attention. Being publicly ridiculed is something many undergo whether it’s someone you know or a stranger behind a screen. Life on the internet can become stressful as you express your opinions and experiences.
While dealing with these situations may not be fun they definitely don’t need to put a damper on your day.
Here are some tips to handle and overcome negativity on social media:
1) Harbour A Supportive Community
When you spot negative comments on your social media or friends make sure to build yourself or anyone else upwards. The simplest and most direct way to defend yourself is by extinguishing the person’s power. Ignoring a hateful comment and responding in a positive way will diffuse negative thoughts towards yourself by refusing to engage in the negativity. By remaining in a positive community that builds one another up you will see how little an impact a negative comment can have on you. Supporting your friends and having them support you will mean a lot to your community as it produces a positive avalanche of support to outweigh the negativity. Listen to your community and harbor real dialogue and conversations and support and feel supported! Lift yourself and your friends above the negativity.
2) Respond With Kindness
Whether you choose to respond or not, kindness will be your best friend. Negativity only has a hold and power over you if you allow it. You can disarm these comments by showing how little you take into account their words. Keeping things clever and focused will deflect their words and pull you out of a sinkhole of negativity.
3) Report Harassment
You should never feel uncomfortable or threatened in your little corner of the internet. Never hesitate to report any bullying or negativity you sense in your column. All social media platforms allow you to file complaints about potentially abusive behavior. They also give you the option to block or ignore trolls in order to directly stop the harassment in its tracks. These platforms moderate their communities with their rules of conduct and if people behave poorly or inappropriately you will have proper grounds for claiming a proper report.
4) Self-Care
Dealing with negativity can begin to weigh hard and make you reflect on yourself poorly. It can cause you to be emotionally exhausted or discouraged so remembering to take care of your physical and mental health will allow you to look at things from a new perspective. Criticism comes from a place within them and not you. Don’t take what people say to face value. Hateful words are filled with their own insecurities and baggage that don’t have anything to do with you. Keeping this in mind while practicing self-care and focusing on your values and positivity will bring you inner peace and reject the turmoil outsiders are trying to fabricate.
These tips should help harbor a new perspective on how to deal with negativity online. If you want to read more about dealing with hardships and challenges, check out “Prospection Tips To Overcome Challenges In Entrepreneurship”.
