3 Ways to Handle Political Posts on Social Media

This was originally published after the 2016 election.

I have intentionally made updates for the 2020 election, notated in bold like this.

Social media, like fire or water, is a tool that can be used for good or bad. 

I've struggled over the past week how I can contribute to solutions. 

1. Avoid shutting down.

The easiest response is "taking a break" from social media.

While valuable for short-term coping, social media was built to connect us. 

As we learned from the election, ~35% of Americans will disagree with your views. Social media is partly to blame for the divided states of America—algorithms feeding us more and more of what we want to see.

Avoid creating a false reality or bubble online. We rarely get to shut down, block, restrict, unfollow, mute, hide, unfriend, delete, etcetera in real life.

Use social media to share your stories/experiences—but seek two-way public dialogues to find unity.

It’s important to stay informed, but take breaks when you need to.

“Taking social media breaks has been really cathartic for me, especially now when we are in this really unique and chaotic world that we're living in, where everything we see is political or COVID-related or just an array of different topics that you might agree with or you might not agree with. Personally, I think that taking social media breaks is great, especially when it's really becoming toxic and depressing.”
-Rachel P. Jacoby, LPCC-S, NCC, CFLE, CTP

“Keep yourself well informed, but don’t drown in it. Deal, don’t dwell.”
-Nathan Lee Graham

We need to encourage uncomfortable conversations; especially around human rights issues, such as systemic racism in the United States.

According to NPR, our partisan divide is going to require more conversation, not less.

Please avoid shutting down completely: take a break.

2. Listen and respond.

We have to examine the other side. We cannot have one-sided conversations. Again, seek two-way public dialogues or even debates.

Listen with an open-mind and a heart of empathy. 

Avoid reactions—these words are often filled with emotion and fueled by adrenaline. Instead, compose responses. These words are carefully crafted, thoughtful and kind. 

I repeat: avoid emotional reactions. Create intentional and thoughtful responses.

Pause, even 24 hours, to create some space between whatever the trigger and your response.

Be careful to check who you're talking to. Is this a bot or troll? Is it even worth your time and energy to compose a response, or is it best to focus your energy elsewhere?

3. Careful the things you say (and read/share).

Finally, words matter—the things you say, read, and share.

If I may, please make sure you consume unbiased nonpartisan news—look for facts, not opinions or speculation.

Choose wisely. If you're going to sway left or right into op-ed, balance that with the other side.

Hopefully, we can meet in the middle.

The biggest thing is to fact check.

There’s a lot of misinformation.

Use Snopes to help you.

To summarize:

• Stay active in political conversations.

• Avoid reactions, compose responses.

• Be careful what you read, say, or share.