Too much information with social sharing is a filter many users need help with. Filtering drama, arguments, opinions and controversy within social networks comes with its own dose of patience.
We don’t want to know that Aunt Mary’s toe is infected, or that our friend Sue and her significant other broke up again for the tenth time.
Social network drama – it’s everywhere. How you handle it is the question.
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Our friends lacking a filter for too much information are our friends after all. Strangers who ride the drama roller coaster on the other hand can be unfollowed, unfriended or blocked. It’s simple unless it’s your friend creating and posting it all the time, then it’s a trickier decision.
You can flat out tell the drama curator that you are unfollowing or unfriending them. No explanations are needed. Or just do it, chances are they may not realize it happened. What if that’s not an option because their social connections are so small.
Drama filters:
- Realize the drama doesn’t impact you so don’t read it, scroll past the post fast
- Use the block user setting
- Ignore posts
- Take a deep breath
- Find happiness in rainbow photos
- Don’t envy
Humans are imperfect, we all make mistakes. Do we have to share them with the whole social sphere though? If you find yourself tempted to post TMI and you are hesitating, listen to your inner voice and wait an hour. Maybe you’ll find the emotional trigger for the drama has passed and thankfully you didn’t tell Aunt Mary to stick her toe business elsewhere.
Many socially unconnected people have found friendship and conversation within their web connected network. Maybe there isn’t anyone else to speak to nearby for the venting they need to do. Let’s take the high road and use some of the drama filters above to get past it all.
My Dad used to say if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say it. Advice I try to follow.
What are your thoughts? Do you have anything else to add?