Social media seems to be quite the topic of discussion in the press, in schools, and, yes, on social media sites, too.

Much has been said of the millenniums and their lack of social grace or courtesy to one another when conversing online through social media. Unfortunately, this lack of social etiquette extends to adults, too. The proliferation of nasty trolls, inappropriate language, and lewd images via social media have given social media a bad wrap bringing into question its usefulness.

Questions regarding who is  to blame for the cyber bullying, excessive selfies, and the resulting lack of face-to-face conversation has made the blame game fall to social media’s own narcissistic individuals to critics who accuse parents, schools, and communities of doing too little or perhaps, too much to stem the ugliness within social media.

My thought on the social media issue isn’t necessarily who should be blamed or even how to educate people to use social media responsibly and constructively, but rather how all of us can model better behavior online by using this powerful tool of social media in ways that transcend the self-promotion and securing a multitude of likes to instead focusing on its enormous potential. Remember, I am a teacher, after all. If social media is a place to connect with one another, why not use this method to collaborate and promote service and building community.

Whether we are a parent, a teacher, a school administrator, a community advocate, a corporate executive, celebrity, or a young person, we need to expose and utilize social media in an effective and positive manner that will enlighten, educate, and entertain one another. Instead of posting what we had for dinner, why not post how we can put dinner on the plates of those who do not have enough to eat? Instead of complaining or calling someone a name, why don’t we pass along an inspirational quote or an article or news website that contains something actually worthwhile.

Although this solution seems simplistic and a bit too practical, why don’t we give it a try? As a follower of journalism, library, educational technology, and lacrosse sites ranging from Facebook to Twitter to Instagram, the information I consume is instructional and invigorating. I can learn quickly about the latest research in breast cancer, what is trending around the world, what tech gadget has just been introduced, what book has just been published, etc.

If we moderate our time on social media and begin by spreading insights, ideas, innovations, we can actually use these powerful resources in constructive and beneficial ways.  I challenge my family, my colleagues, and my students to use social media not as a mirror to promote themselves or as an anonymous place to degrade others, but as a safe place to communicate and share with one another the knowledge and the good that is in all of us.

I cannot be the only one who thinks this way. Please join me. It starts with each of us: one post, one tweet, one photo at a time.