‍

Learn How Students Can Respond to Negative Social Media Posts[/caption]Love it or hate it, social media is a powerful tool that has changed much of how the world works today. As we discussed in the last chapter, the choices you make online can have a tremendous impact on your future, either for good or for bad. The good news is that you’re in the driver’s seat when deciding what to post and how to frame it in a positive light.

The better news is I can give you the inside information you need in order to use social media to boost—not damage—your professional reputation while still being your authentic self online. How you respond to negative posts online is much more important than what the negative post says about you.

This blog post is an excerpt from Light, Bright & Polite

The Light, Bright & Polite books teach students how to be safe and smart on social media. With this book your family will be able to develop a social media plan to be safe and smart online. This book also teaches teens how to shine online to someday have a positive footprint that will impress colleges and future employers.[/su_note]

Here are some key takeaways from this chapter:

• Search for yourself online regularly, so you’ll always know what others are going to find
• Make sure everything you post is full of gratitude and positivity. Positive posts make a good “digital first impression” on people who could eventually impact your career
• You can’t control others’ actions, but you can always control how you react to anger and negativity. Being polite under difficult circumstances always reflects well on you, online or off
• Being gracious and authentic online is usually a good indicator of how you handle situations in person. It reflects well on your character and can lead to great career and personal opportunities

Negative social media posts in the news

At least 10 students accepted to Harvard have had their offers rescinded after administrators discovered offensive posts in a private, online Facebook messaging group. Forbes

Any individual student can stir up trouble with a single comment, picture or online conversation, and that extends well beyond just an elite athlete trying to get a scholarship. Teens complaining about playing time, bickering with a teammate or trash-talking an opponent have forced coaches to be more vigilant about their players' online activity. USA Today's Democrat & Chronicle

Letting things go on social media

On social media, sometimes you have to make a conscious effort to ignore people who seem to be trying to get under your skin, whether they hurl direct criticisms at you or constantly post things that offend you. You might feel an obligation to stand up for your beliefs and for fair treatment, but social media is rarely the right context. If you feel the need to rant, call or text a friend. If you know the person who is making offensive comments and can reach out to them privately, it might be worth a try, but very little good will come from engaging in a social media war.

‍Here’s why: This may be a person (or people) with their own agenda or reason for lashing out, and it may be completely beyond your control. When other people are negative, rude, dramatic, combative, etc. on social media, more often than not it reflects badly on them. Responding to them in like manner can also reflect badly on you—even if you’re in the right. Remember how many people might be watching your mini-drama play out, and most will have no idea what it’s about, who launched the first missile, or even care who has the better argument. All they’ll see is that you’re acting like someone who can’t seem to rise above an argument that’s probably not worth it and is rarely constructive. If you let yourself get pulled into an argument, it gets harder and harder to get out of it. Others will respect you more for walking away from an online argument. Colleges and employers—or anybody whose respect you want to earn—want students and employees who are drama free. Drama that another person tries to start will usually go away on its own if you let it.

Why should students care?

• Being gracious and authentic online is usually a good indicator of how you handle situations in person
• Colleges and employers may be watching your social media to see how you react to negative situations
• The choices you make online can have a tremendous impact on your future
• Responding to negativity in a similar manner can reflect badly on you. All people will see is that you’re acting like someone who can’t seem to rise above an argument

What can students do?

• Take the time to decide what to post and how to frame it in a positive light
• Positive posts make a good “digital first impression” on people who could eventually impact your college or career opportunities
• Make sure that your social media posts don’t come across as impolite or ungrateful
• Being polite under difficult circumstances always reflects well on you, online or off
• Search for yourself online regularly so you’ll always know what others are going to find