6 strategies for cooling it down on social media

For acknowledging birthdays, sharing family photos and swapping jokes with friends, social media has been a godsend.

It’s also become fertile ground for temper tantrums. Erupting over a college buddy’s insipid post or falling for a conspiracy that has you fuming at authority figures can become a daily occurrence.

Think about how peaceful life would be if you abandoned Facebook or Twitter. Now admit how unlikely it is that you’ll follow through.

According to Statista, more than 3.6 billion people use social media; that number is expected to climb to 4.4 billion by 2025, well over half the world’s population.

In 2019, the Pew Research Center discovered that 18% of American adults relied on social media as their primary source for politics and election information.

There are no reliable numbers on how many people have torn their hair out in the process. But is it just a coincidence that millennials are reporting baldness in increasing numbers?

If you insist on staying on Instagram — how else will you know what Cousin Jessica had for dinner last night? — consider these tips for moving forward.

Every picture tells a story

When University of Pennsylvania professor Damon Centola began examining how Democrats and Republicans communicated on social media, he discovered a significant surprise: It was much more difficult for political opposites to find common ground when posts were accompanied by certain images. An online conversation about climate change went nowhere when pictures of an elephant and donkey were in the mix.

“When we removed the party logos, meaningful conversation skyrocketed,” says Centola, author of “Change: How to Make Big Things Happen.”

Pictures pack a punch; use them wisely.

Include the wallflowers

Alpha types tend to dominate group discussions. They’re so busy ranting that they often fail to acknowledge other ideas.

“Their opinions are likely to amplify bias,” Centola says. “Thoughts that differ or challenge can be silenced by a strong person.”

He suggests paying attention to those who are tuned in but not saying much. Take a moment to ask them what they think.

“That act alone increases the quality of the conversation,” Centola says. “There’s a lot of intelligence in that community.”

Do your research

How many times has someone told you they read something startling on Twitter but can’t cite the original source of the tidbit? That happens often, according to Michelle Ferrier, founder of TrollBusters.com, a service that goes after those who abuse journalists online.

Before you repost an item, do a little digging.

“Know the outlet and whether it has a history of producing unbiased information,” says Ferrier, a professor at Florida A&M University.

Expand your horizons

It’s far too easy to get comfortable in your bubble. “When you just follow friends and celebrities who see the world the way you do, you’re just getting an unchallenged narrative,” says Joy Mayer, founder of TrustingNews.org, which helps journalists establish trust and credibility.

Ferrier suggests you take a hard look at what outlets pop up in your social feeds. “Make sure you’re not just relying on a single source for information,” she says.

That same strategy also works for your community. In addition to subscribing to your local paper, Ferrier recommends signing up for Nextdoor.com, a hyperlocal social networking service for neighborhoods.

Be diplomatic

When someone posts something ridiculous, tell the writer you’re eager to learn more, and ask for a link to the original source.

“Asking people to pause for a moment and back up what they’re saying with facts can be effective,” says Mayer.

If someone is way off course, Mayer suggests sending them a private message rather than calling them out for all to see.

“Maybe someone had the intention to share responsibly and just didn’t check it out enough. They may want to know it’s wrong. Let them go back and delete and edit themselves.”

Know when to step back

It’s wise to know when to take a break from social media altogether. Mayer acknowledges that may be difficult, especially during a pandemic when human contact is limited. But timeouts might just save your sanity.