Things you should know before entering the SoMe-World

By: Amanda Bøje Petersen

We live in a world where SoMe channels are not just fun and games but play an active part of our lives. That's why we at RE:TOUCH want to make it clear to our readers what things to be aware of when entering the digital world. We share tips and tricks, and a lot of learning - so read along!

1. It’s not all real

Figure 1: Adobe Stock, Photoshopped girl, seen 20th October 2022

The first thing to remember when committing to social media is the polished image that is created. Social media is created for the entertainment value, and with that comes sharing what you want to share. So, in this way you get to present yourself at your best - because who wants to share when you've had a super bad day or been sick for a week with the flu? So remember, the beautiful girls and boys you follow on various SoMe platforms may also be having a big pimple and a bad hair day – but they simply don’t choose to post those photos on their platforms.

We can’t talk about SoMe without talking about Photoshop. Photoshop has unfortunately become a big part of social media. It has become a normality to edit your arm smaller, even if it's perfectly human, and remove pimples or other things that make you look completely normal. Here at the editorial office, we are extremely saddened by this development, and wish that more people would dare to show the "pure" and more ordinary aspect of being human. So, our message to you is instead: REMEMBER what you see is not reality. So don't let yourself be compared to the polished images and remember to tell yourself that you are beautiful just the way you are. Here at RE:TOUCH, we always encourage you to post images that have not been manipulated by Photoshop or other editing tools. Cause you are perfect the way you are!

2. Privacy – is that a thing?

Social media is funded by selling your data. So don't be fooled by the fact that the platforms are free, because in the end they are not. When you create a profile on SoMe platforms such as Instagram or Facebook, you also give permission for the platforms to use your data. What exactly the platforms use your data for is still unknown, but I imagine most people have tried to get an ad up on their social media after searching for the exact thing on, say, Google. This is a good and typical example of how platforms use your data to make ads tailored to your preferences (Electronic Privacy Information Center, u.d.). I have made some takeaways for you to consider when making a Social Media account.

How to protect your SOME account

1. Think about what you post!

When you are posting on social media you put your picture out to the world. So, make sure you are okay being confronted with the picture, cause everyone, even your future boss, can have happened to have seen it before.

2. Make a private account

If the social media allows it, make a private account. Remember, it’s not private in a way where you can post everything without no one watching, but you can increase it by having a private account.

3. Read the Privacy Terms before Entering a SoMe platform

It’s important to know what you are signing up for! So please do read the Privacy Terms before submitting - and even try to understand it.

3. Hate on social media

Figure 2: ADL, Online Hate and Harassment, 5/3-2022

In America 41% of the population experienced online hate during 2021.

Unfortunately, hate is a significant part of being on social media. The Anti-Defamation League, ADL, has produced a report showing Online Hate and Harassment in the United States in 2021. It makes clear that far too many people experience hate in their everyday lives on social media, with as many as 41% of the US population experiencing hate on social media in 2021. I've compiled my top two pieces of advice if you experience hate on SoMe platforms, but otherwise do yourself the favor of reading the ADL report in depth - it really does give you something to think about.

How to stop hate on SOME:

- Report hate! You can report the person who “hate” on the Social Media platform you experience hate on and the platform will remove the person from the media - also if it’s not even you who are experiencing it.

- Block the hate. Block the persons who attend to do hate on social media - cause our lives are too short to watch people hate.

Help me spread the message! Next issue will dig deeper into this specific topic about hate, so read along, and tell your friends about us wherever you go.

Love, RE:TOUCH