Social Media in 2019
Friend or Foe?
What do you see in this photo?
I see a bunch of women having a lovely time and enjoying each other’s company. It was shared on Facebook. It was taken several years ago and that was what you did then. A nice photograph shared on Facebook for everyone to see. At risk of sounding like an old biddy, has anyone else noticed how few “nice” posts there are out there in Facebook groups? I do remember a friend of mine commenting there was an absence of men but I wonder what the feedback to the same photograph would be now? I wonder how many words of positive feedback would be given?
Twitter has a reputation for being full of trolls which I’m sure is true. The feed goes so fast and I burl through with my thumb so perhaps I just don’t notice them so often. Perhaps the lack of characters available to write with has a hand in keeping harmful posts away. I do hear about nasty, personal posts though, and have no reason to disbelieve the victims. I’m a big fan of the short, sharp information which is passed on via these spinning posts but do recall some of the ScOPE-Ed conversations getting a bit “pointy finger”.
Every message I receive on LinkedIn is kind and thoughtful. Yes, there is some sales stuff but let’s face it, we are all looking after our own businesses. It feels like there is a certain generosity to Linkedin that I don’t see on Facebook. It feels like networking without the nonsense. Facts, figures and the occasional wry Friday post which brings a smile.
Thank goodness! Some of the Facebook posts are divisive, hostile and downright nasty. It’s really interesting as, like all the women in the photo, the groups I belong to are all counsellors in their many fields.
The Facebook Rage is reminiscent of Road Rage! Snark and judgement abound and there is a certain lack of kindness in so many posts. Unseen behind their equipment negative posts, combative comments and being, well, rude, is too common. Perhaps it could be said I’m rude also? I’m a lurker. I read and move on without defending the attacked, just passively absorbing the content. I notice the musts, should & ought’s and then move along, quietly.
Do people save up all of their frustration and just release it on Facebook and its users each day? Of course, we are living in uncertain times. I agree the profession is at odds with itself. We all have opinions and we all like sharing them. I don’t dispute many therapists get a raw deal from a number of directions but come on, the need to dominate others, cut them down to size and be plain mean is just mind-blowing to me!
Sometimes I long for the days before social media. Let’s face it, if some of these nasty authors were in your supervision group they would soon be drummed out or you would take to your heels. 😉 Most of us have a limited amount of time and have a reasonable expectation our peers will be supportive; challenging yes, but on the same page. If it came down to different books there would be a parting of the ways in one way or another.
Most times I long for kindness, respect and tolerance of our fellow humans. You and me both, no doubt. [sighs].
Anyone else noticing this as well? I promise not to criticise.
PS. The photographs are from Online Training for Counsellors’ 10th birthday celebration.
Suzie is a Co-Director of Online Training for Counsellors Ltd. She is a Psychosexual and Relationship Therapist, Supervisor and Tutor. Suzie has a face to face private practice in addition to her online therapeutic work. Suzie contributed two chapters to
Online Supervision: A Handbook for Practitioners, edited by Anne Stokes of which she is rightly proud.
