In the age of Snapchat, Instagram and whatever social media you use, there are always people you can friend or follow. I think it’s awesome, especially when you get to my age. LOL (only 19). I can see what all of my friends are doing, even the ones I left behind in middle school. However, I notice that a lot people in
your age group are very good at
the social media thing. Woah. I sound so old. Trust me, I am not that old. Basically, I want to tell you that it’s important to always keep your private information to yourself when you are making friends online. I am pretty sure you have heard this all before; however, what we want to make clear is that it is important to add only people you know. You never know when someone might use a post or snapchat against you. Honestly, life is already pretty difficult and you don’t need that drama in your life. Also, I am not here to tell you what to do and what not to do. However, being “instafamous” is not as fabulous as it might seem.
Instafamous
“Hashtags everywhere” meme
When it comes to being “instafamous” we all know the best way to accumulate friends, fans, followers, and everything else is through the power of social media, or more specifically, Instagram. Instagram. It’s where you can post your greatest selfies and most impressive videos and consume the most outrageous likes from other social media users. You share a lot of personal experiences on Instagram, and there seems to be a mutual respect between you and your social media. Comments like “Right on bro!” or “Go ahead sis!” fill your newsfeed everytime you post a picture. And since you have a “poppin” Instagram, you’re no stranger to having follower requests. As you become more known to others, and more popular, it’s easy to throw the term “friend” loosely to others. We all have done it before; we used the word “friend” to describe anyone who we don’t already necessarily hate. Nowadays, friendships are mostly seen as “opportunities” and if your not careful, it’s easy to think that such people are your “friends” when they are really not. So the true question is, how do we know where social media connectivity ends and where true friendship begins?
I recommend watching these buzzfeed videos where people decided to act like they were “instafamous.” There’s nothing wrong with taking pictures and being yourself. I think the most important thing from the videos is that it is always important to be who you are and not be so concerned about the number of followers you have.
Women Instagram Like Fashion Bloggers For A Week
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD9AarmQctI
We Became Instagram Celebrities For A Week
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah4OvEjtPMI
Ask Yourself:
- How well do we know them?
- How much do you care about them?
- How much do they care about you?
So, How Should I Treat My Social Media “Friends”?
So now that you know the truth about the difference between your “real” friends and your followers, the question you should ask yourself now is: How should I treat my social media “friends?”
Now I don’t think any of us would jump off a bridge for our social media “friends” to prove our loyalty. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t show or spread love to one another.
“Social media: Don’t use it to impress people, use it to IMPACT people” image
- Provide them with genuine value. You don’t always have to be friends with someone to show that you value them. Sometimes it’s just about how you treat others and how you would want to be treated.
- Be respectful of them.Even if they are your “friend,” you still need to be polite and respectful of their time. Friendship doesn’t give you the right to disrespect someone else. Friends aren’t here to serve you or to be used by you.
- Network with them. My favorite networking advice is “Don’t ask what someone else can do for you. But ask what can you do for them.” Interaction isn’t just about conversation but about engaging with genuine care.
- Introduce them to others. Friends don’t let friends go un-introduced when the introduction makes good sense for both parties.
- Be a friend.Again, treat others how you would like to be treated. Show that you care.
At the end of the day we all need someone. Our “friends” are important to us, whether we may know them in person or on social media. Truth is, whether you want to keep your real friends or your social media “friends” you need to treat them like a friend. Or you will be known as the “fake friend” all around school.
“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.”