3 things you should NEVER do on Facebook (to protect your real life relationships while online)

2. Belittle people with opinions or beliefs different than your own.

Especially in election seasons, I watch in disbelief as my “friends” from both sides of the aisle sling mud at one another on facebook. There’s rarely healthy or meaningful dialogue or debate; only insults and generalizations. I’m a person of strong convictions and I hope you are as well, but climbing on to an online soapbox and shouting insults at those who disagree with us isn’t a way to build relationships or win people to our way of thinking; it’s just another way to damage relationships.

Here’s the bottom line…every word you speak (whether online or in person) has lasting effects, so let wisdom guide your words. When I was a kid, Mom would say, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all!” I think that’s especially good advice when it comes to social media.

Here’s one final nugget of ancient wisdom to consider before you post a rant online…“Whoever belittles another lacks sense, but an intelligent person remains silent.” Proverbs 11:12