Online Communication: Stranger Danger

I don’t. Well…not really. I was one of the last of my friends to get on social media and gave in to the peer pressure and joined the blue book. I pretty much keep that page private and hardly post except when I’m really proud of a blog piece and think it should be shared.

With what I know about what’s lurking on the internets, the keyboard warriors, deep fake propaganda, scammers, and mass spread of the ugliest acts humanity has to offer, I’d just rather not participate. I mean, it’s a wonder that I even have a blog. I’m not a social butterfly, even online. I am signed up on another platform too and I’ve never posted. When people send me friend or follow requests, my first thought is why? Stranger danger!

So, typically I’ll get online and spectate. I’m like a voyeur. I hardly comment, unless I really like you and your content. Other than that, I will react. Reacting is easy and less susceptible to arguments because of text screenshots sent out because of misinterpreted inferences. I just need peace in my life and I don’t have time for virtual beefs when I have much responsibility in my life.

I also try to limit my time online. It’s too easy to fall down a rabbit hole of mindless scrolling or following a trail of hyperlinks and next thing you know you’re late for work, or getting dinner started too late or lost time working on some other constructive and productive project. And then there’s you know, the algorithms. At some point I guess I will have to get out of my shell and participate more online. I’m taking baby steps, and these daily prompts are helping with my shyness. Who knows, this may be the year that I actually post on the social media page I set aside for this blog.