Is Social Media Making Us Argumentative
I am back to talking about social media, maybe I should start a series? Let me get it out that I am on Instagram and Twitter, my handle on both is @bforbetula, so you can come see what I am up to over there and follow me too, I would love that! Shameless plug over, after I wrote the post below, I thought to myself - aren't people going to think I spend all my time on social media? Haha, let me address that. I spend some time on it, checking in and out every so often, but no, not all my time. I am fairly new to it all, I started to explore Instagram (seriously) when I started the blog last December and I just joined twitter in February, so it still feels relatively new for me, and I am enjoying observing how it works and how I interact with people it. Have you heard of Gogglebox? It's a documentary style programme on TV in the UK, about people watching TV. Well, this is my version of that, but for social media. So, erh, yes, think of this as a social experiment of some sort, here goes:
"Full-time Mummy is another word for unemployed."
Katie Hopkins (on Twitter)
International Womens Day came and went, and I was inspired, fired up, ready to keep championing all women. Then I noticed today that the above statement was put up by a Mum on Instagram and she invited her followers (mostly mums, I imagine) to share their views on the topic. I don't know what her thoughts were around in choosing to open up this discussion, so I cannot really comment on her decision to air this topic, my focus is mostly on the comments which came in, in response. I was about to rise to the occasion and share my view too, when it occurred to me - why are we even discussing this? Why is this topic relevant in this day and age? Who does it serve to tell any mother what she is and whether or not she can use the term employed or unemployed? That changed how I responded.
It reminded me of another post I came across on Instagram, where a mother had asked which was better the Bugaboo or the Stokke Xplory and a few mums had added a comment as to which they felt was better. We were not trying to help the mum make a decision mind you, she admitted she was just reminiscing about when used a pram for her now older children. She even added that she remembered the topic was hotly contested back in the day. Still, we all wanted to add our two pence. I even waded in on the debate. It was only later that I questioned the need to. If I absolutely had to comment I should have shared the truth that I am sure we all know well - that which pram you go for depends on your lifestyle, where you live and what you were looking for in a pram. Assessing those factors would make it clear which one is best for YOU. It could end up being neither of the two prams being discussed. So simple, so true, but there we were, all grown women (myself included), responding in one or two sentences which one of two proposed 'we thought' was better. Sigh.
I know I can do better, and I am sure we all can. I intend to ask myself a few questions before I join in on the next conversation on social media that appears fruitless. I will work on keeping my comments for where they can add value, preferably to build others up, to share truly valuable insight or simply to help others in one way or the other. Off course, sometimes, just for fun, I will share my thoughts, #noteverytimeserious. I have to be honest and say I have many 'just because' not-really-intended-to-go-anywhere debates in real life and I enjoy those. But they are not for Instagram for a reason. At least that is my take.
A quick search on Instagram pulled up these beautiful quotes celebrating women on Sunday. I like it better when we women are united! Enjoy them.
When you first joined social media, did you find yourself wading in where she really did not need to? Have you been surprised by what you get involved in on social media? Did you have to check yourself or adjust the way you used it or what you shared on it? What was your experience - I would love to hear.
Happy Wednesday
x
Is Social Media Making Us Argumentative
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