How do you use the internet? Social media?

Do you somehow tackle serious issues, political matters, Important Shit when you’re logging on from your computer or phone? Or is it all entertainment, shopping, gossip, light correspondence?

The Internet and social media take a lot of flack for being meaningless, endless streams of cute cat videos, celebrity gossip, and top ten lists covering anything from the 80s.

{An Internet Classic: “David After Dentist”}

But on the other hand, people also bristle against political posts on their social networks–not just from politicians, but also from “friends”–posts that support a particular political party or candidate, links to polarizing articles, statements of controversial opinions, etc. The complaints will point out that so often, discussion of pretty much any contentious issue quickly devolves into the lowest form of debate–name-calling, heel-digging, and general stupidity.

Another criticism of using the Internet for social or political issues is of the practice of “slacktivism“–participating in a cause in a very passive way, primarily through social media, such as Tweeting a message or posting a link on Facebook about the issue, generally in the name of “raising awareness”—think  #BringBackOurGirls, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, Kony 2012–without further involvement. Some studies have shown that the slacktivist, deriving enough satisfaction from that initial “share” or “like,” rarely gets involved beyond that. As a result, everyone is “talking” about a problem, oh so aware of it and outraged by it, without actually doing anything about it.

From UNICEF’s “Likes Don’t Save Lives” campaign

While I have witnessed both of these phenomenon, I tend to feel that the important conversations should be happening on places like Facebook and Twitter. So much of our interaction, at least for my generation, is happening online. As an ex-pat, Facebook is how I keep in regular contact with friends and family from home. Many of us have moved far enough away from our places of origin that the social networks become the means to expanding our circle rather than abandoning it. If we’re not allowed to have meaningful discussions online, then where should these discussions take place?

And while I do think that slacktivism is a real phenomenon (heck, I even took the Ice Bucket challenge, and accidentally dumped half of my bucket behind me–pretty weak), I also think that so much participation in social issues has always been about raising awareness, in addition to raising money or taking action. It may be passive, but educating yourself about the plight of others in the world is still an important act of cultivating compassion and empathy that can inform the way you approach other situations.

The Internet and social networks are relatively new—it’s understandable that there will be growing pains as we learn how to utilize these outlets to best advantage. Of course there’s ugliness and idiocy in this learning process. But there’s too much potential here, and frankly, already example enough of the power of these tools that I really feel we need to get beyond this part of the conversation.

So to move it along, here are some thoughts on how to use social media in an appropriate way when having serious discussions:

1. Know your audience and set the tone. On my own Facebook page, I invite political debate and share opinions or articles that I know will start a discussion. I have faith that my family and friends can engage in meaningful deliberation without resorting to idiocy, and for the most part, that has in fact been the case. Your approach to a topic should be sensitive to the people likely to read it. Don’t be inflammatory if you want a meaningful discussion. Tread lightly and respectfully. Others will follow.

2. Keep an open mind. Confirmation bias is a real thing. Most people go into a discussion with their mind made up. To some extent, I think this is just human nature. But be open to the possibility of learning and the fact that you just might pick up something you didn’t know. And, you know, you might just be wrong, in which case approaching your debate with a bit of humility might save you some embarrassment.

3. Fight the polarization of opinions. We have less control over this one. In some ways, confirmation bias is being built into the web. As the apps and sites we use track what we’re looking at, they tend to “suggest” other things to us that match those interests. The Internet begins to shrink around you. Fight this. Tell these services you don’t like this practice, and make a concerted effort to seek out information from a variety of sources. At the very least, knowing the mind of your opponent makes you a more effective debater.

4. Don’t sweat over being a slacktivist, but do get involved where it really matters to you. We truly are living through a revolution of access to information. Go ahead and share responsibly. While you may not take further action, someone else may be touched enough that they cut a check, write to their politician, adopt a dog, whatever. This is how it all works. But do also get involved where it matters. And at the very least, vote!

What other tips would you add to this list? Or do you think trying to have meaningful discussion on the internet is indeed pointless?

[Featured Image from Alejandro Pinto on Flickr]