This article is shaped by my years of experience with social media—at times carefully managing my feed to filter out what I didn’t want to see, and at other times creating content designed to appeal or sell. I’ve experienced both sides of the platform. I don’t aim to be prescriptive, but rather to explore some thoughtful suggestions for making social media more meaningful.
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After leaving a particular social media platform due to the relentless targeting of a specific cultural community in Canada, and spending the past seven years tirelessly promoting my books across other platforms, I’ve gained a much deeper understanding of how social media truly operates. At its core, social media is only as good as the way we choose to use it—and just as harmful if we let it be. It’s not some separate entity we can blame or praise; it’s a mirror. It reflects who we are as individuals and as a society. What we put into it shapes what we get out of it.
Social media has become woven into nearly every aspect of our lives—we market, we scroll, we post, and we react. But as the digital world grows louder, it’s worth asking: What are we really doing here? Too often, we share without intention—driven by the chase for likes, the pressure to appear clever, or the habit of simply keeping up. In the end, this leaves us with cluttered feeds and shallow conversations.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Social media can be meaningful—if we shift our mindset.
Don’t Share Just to Share
Sharing content just for the sake of staying visible adds to the noise. Whether it’s a meme, a quote, or a trending headline, hitting “share” without thought doesn’t serve much purpose. Before you post, ask yourself:
“Why am I sharing this?”
If the answer is “to fill the silence” or “because everyone else is,” consider waiting until you have something genuine to say.
Avoid Performing Intelligence
There’s a subtle pressure online to look smart—sharing complex takes, quoting deep thinkers, or crafting “mic drop” posts. But appearing intelligent isn’t the same as being thoughtful. Authentic intelligence shows in how you listen, how you engage, and how open you are to different views.
There’s a growing trend on professional networking sites—and even platforms like Facebook—where people post “intelligent” content purely to appear smart. But when serious discussion follows, it often leads nowhere, because the original poster doesn’t truly understand the subject. They’ve simply copied and pasted something without grasping the full story behind it.
Smart people don’t always have the loudest voices. Often, they ask the best questions.
Engage for Connection, Not Contention
We’ve confused arguments with debates. Arguments aim to win; debates aim to understand.
If you’re sharing content that starts a conversation, be ready to stay open—especially when someone disagrees. Real discussion isn’t about proving a point; it’s about broadening perspective.
Before you reply, ask:
“Am I responding to understand, or just to react?”
Discussion moves us forward. Arguments hold us in place.
Be Mindful of What You Believe
Not everything that looks polished is true. Nowadays, a significant portion of what you see online could be AI-generated.
On social media, sensationalism and outrage spread faster than facts. Algorithms are designed to reward emotional reactions, not accuracy. The more we believe fake content, and engage with misleading or exaggerated posts, the more those types of content fill our feeds.
Practice digital skepticism:
- Consider the possibility that what you see or read might not be real—it could be AI-generated or digitally altered.
- Cross-check before you share.
- Look beyond headlines.
- Consider the source.
Trust is earned, not scrolled into.
Make Space for Positive Engagement
Positive engagement doesn’t mean avoiding hard topics or pretending everything is fine. It means creating space for respect, growth, and encouragement. It’s about offering insights, asking meaningful questions, and showing up with empathy—even when discussing difficult issues. Be open to the possibility that you might be wrong—and that others might be right.
Ways to engage positively:
- Share content that educates, uplifts, or invites honest dialogue.
- Celebrate others’ achievements without envy.
- Acknowledge nuance. Not everything is black and white.
- Acknowledge and support others when they are right, regardless of their background.
Don’t Just Act Like a Celebrity
Social media is a powerful tool—but it’s important to remember that it’s a two-way communication platform. It gives us instant access to information, cultures, ideas, and people from all over the world. When used thoughtfully, it can become a space for growth, inspiration, and learning.
But there’s a common trap many fall into: treating it like a stage, not a conversation. We love to post, but often neglect to engage with others’ content. That kind of one-sided behavior starts to resemble that of a celebrity—broadcasting, but not connecting.
The truth is, you get back what you give. If you only focus on your own voice and never support, acknowledge, or respond to others, you’ll end up isolated—famous only in your own little corner. Social media thrives on interaction. Without it, you’re not building a network; you’re just performing to an empty room.
Be a Student, Not Just a Brand
Building on my previous point.
You don’t need to brand yourself like a public figure. Celebrities are constantly performing a version of themselves to sell products, shape opinions, or protect their image. If you’re not being paid to do that, why do it?
Instead of trying to appear flawless or “on” all the time, focus on being real. Use your platform to explore ideas, ask questions, or document your growth—not to craft a perfect image.
Remember: Validation isn’t the same as impact.
Use Social Media to Learn, Not Just to Be Seen
There’s a wealth of insight online: experts sharing knowledge, communities discussing ideas, people telling their stories. Social media becomes meaningful when you use it to absorb, not just broadcast.
Instead of asking, “How will this make me look?” ask:
- “What can I take from this?”
- “How does this challenge or deepen my understanding?”
- “What can I give to this conversation?”
You Don’t Need to Go Viral to Matter
The pressure to be seen, followed, or shared can lead people to exaggerate, copy trends, or chase controversy—just like celebrities sometimes do for attention. But ordinary people don’t need to go viral to be valuable.
Quiet influence—thoughtful comments, private support, sincere sharing—can have more real-world impact than 10,000 anonymous likes.
Being Known Isn’t the Same as Being Respected
Don’t confuse fame with influence. Social media teaches us that popularity equals success, but it’s not true. Being widely known doesn’t mean someone is widely trusted, admired, or even right.
Focus instead on building depth: integrity, understanding, and kindness. Those last far longer than trends.
Don’t Just Copy or Follow Treands
It’s easy to imitate people who seem to have it all figured out: the perfect look, perfect lifestyle, perfect opinions, the best trend. But copying someone else’s online persona won’t bring you closer to your own truth.
Instead, treat your feed like a classroom. Watch how people communicate. Notice what kind of content draws real discussion. Learn from the good and the bad—and then make it your own.
Social Media Is a Tool, Not a Stage
Not everyone is a celebrity. And you don’t need to be.
You’re a real person, with evolving ideas, imperfections, and experiences worth sharing—not performing. Use social media to learn, connect, reflect, and grow. Let go of the need to impress, and focus on being honest.
Because in the end, being authentic will take you further than acting famous ever could.
Social media will only be as meaningful as we choose to make it. If our only goal is to appear smart, gain likes, or feed algorithms, we’ll end up with shallow connections and hollow conversations. But if we use it to foster real dialogue, share with purpose, and connect with care, it becomes something powerful—a tool for learning, empathy, and community.
So the next time you hit “post,” ask yourself:
Is this adding meaning, or just noise?
Let’s choose to post with purpose. Not just louder—better.
Don’t take this article at face value—use it as a starting point to make an informed decision.
Peace out…
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