5 Problems with Social Media

Let me preface this by saying I don't necessarily have five problems with social media, however, I saw this enticing "30 day writing challenge" on the Hoagies Gifted Education Facebook page today and I thought I would give it a go because coming up with ideas that provoke me into writing something doesn't happen on a regular enough basis.

Problem #1:  "It's National Write a Blog Day!"  What?  Every day on Facebook (and believe me I am on Facebook every day....I love it), there are multiple notifications that it is National something-or-other day or month when in fact, these things do not actually exist.  Social media can be used positively to educate people about important issues (bullying, breast cancer, the fact that we love our children!), but bombarding people with it diminishes the message.

Problem #2:   Soundbites.  OMG, I hate them.  So and so said such and such.  Really?  Today?  Yesterday?  20 years ago?  In what context?  To whom?  Stop judging people one sentence at a time.

Problem #3:  "Share this picture"  Ok, this isn't really a problem....more of  a pet peeve.  Share this picture if you love puppies, share this post if you think cancer sucks, copy and paste this if you're really my friend.  Seriously?  You're not guilting me into anything and if you think that by saying "my true friends" will share something, you should probably just unfriend me now.

Problem #4:  Anonymity.  While Facebook for example is not anonymous, many social media outlets such as Yik Yak, Tumblr, and ask.fm are.  Anonymity allows the easy distribution of lies, stereotypes and facilitates bullying in ways that could never be replicated in real life.  As adults, we should be savvy enough to recognize trolling and bullying for what they really are, but our kids are probably don't and they are becoming increasing savvy at hiding their online activities from us.

Problem #5:  30 day challenges.  Who can keep up?  30 squat challenge, 30 day push up challenge, 21 day clean eating challenge, 30 day writing challenge,   I feel like I've failed before I've even started.  Except this one...I'm going to do it!