4 Tips For Socializing In The Digital Age
If you have been around since the early 80s-mid 90s, you bore witness to the birth of the internet and its tremendous advancement in the last thirty years. When the World Wide Web was made available to the general population in 1993, services like AOL and MSN allowed us to meet others in niche chat rooms and build connections without leaving the comfort of our homes. These chatrooms paved the way for what we now know as social media. For those of you too young to remember, they used to mail us subscriptions to the internet. It was a wild time.
Today, the internet plays a significant role in our everyday lives. It’s accessible from most, if not all, devices and social media has a lot to do with it. Back in the day (trying not to show my age here), there were a few social networks that were fairly successful while the “network of networks” was still growing. It wasn’t long before sites like MySpace, LinkedIn, and Facebook began taking up space and social media as we know it came to be.
With such a great resource comes considerable safety concerns. Identity theft, scammers, and phishing, among other dangers, still linger on the internet. Even with modern precautions, one can’t be too careful what and with whom they share online. Computers give us a false sense of security, but the truth is, the internet is an extremely fragile place. Social networks are arguably the weakest point. In a world of “catfishers” and other online nuisances, how do we protect ourselves while seeking genuine connections?
Keep Your Business To Yourself
Personal information like your phone number, physical address, and social security number should never be shared with someone you don’t know. This puts you at great risk of identity theft, stalking, and harassment. People are crazy out here and the last thing you want to do is lead The Killer to your domicile.
Social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are public digital spaces that collect a lot of data whether they care to admit it or not. With so much data posted online, you’ll inevitably share something personal. Be vigilant about what you share and who you’re sharing it with. Personal and financial information is best kept to yourself where it’s safest. Check your privacy settings to limit who can see your content to reduce intrusion. If you’re a public figure with a website, keep in mind who can see it and what they will see.
Be Mindful Of Who You Chat With
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: crazy people are crazy. I watch A LOT of MTV’s “Catfish”, so trust me when I tell you I’m a professional catfish catcher. You have no way of knowing what some people will do to get close to you and/or information you may have. Remember, people you meet online are STILL strangers no matter how long you’ve chatted with them or how cool they may seem. Most of us Southerners are pretty amazing, even digitally, but stay vigilant because we have crazies too.
Be Intentional
Your peace is precious. Being intentional about who and what you engage with online allows you to connect with people who share your interests without drama. Be selective with friend requests and avoid spam accounts at all costs. Approach links with extreme caution because your account can and WILL get hacked if you’re not careful.
Go Outside
There’s nothing like some fresh air and Vitamin D. Go outside, soak up the sun, and touch some grass. Meet up with a couple of friends and enjoy each others’ company! Genuine relationships aren’t built and maintained through screens alone. Every now and then, it’s good to take a step from behind the screen and enjoy some real-life company.
There are a multitude of reasons people enjoy online interactions. It’s fun, most online interactions are nonverbal and self-paced (so no pressure to find the words), and these conversations can sometimes lead to good opportunities. For those of us with social anxiety, it’s a great way to socialize without pressure. With the pandemic wreaking havoc, it’s also a much safer way of engaging with people you like. Whatever your reasons are for partaking in the joys of social media, it’s vital that you’re being safe and respectful. Keep these tips in mind and you’ll avoid much of the unpleasantness that lurks online.
