Using social media in your 40s and beyond may feel unheard of for some. Many older people consider social media to be something that younger people use. However, more and more people are utilizing social media. People of all ages use it to stay in touch with their loved ones, see what their favorite brands and businesses are up to, and even to stay up to date with the news. Here, we’re going to take a look at the do’s and dont’s of using social media in your 40s and beyond. Take a look and you should be able to ensure you only get the good out of any social media platform that you choose to use.
Do Follow Inspiring Pages
One of the best things about social media is being able to follow pages that you find inspiring. This could be a health account, a foodie account, or just a positive, creative person that spreads joy and great tips for getting creative things done. When you follow inspiring pages, you might find that you’re more positive and that you get more out of social media. You might think ‘why would I follow pages that aren’t positive?’ – but there are many pages out there that spread toxic positivity, unhealthy diet tips, and other information that is not necessarily going to resonate with you. Be picky about who you follow and your social media feeds will be somewhere you truly enjoy spending time and get something out of.
Don’t Mindlessly Post Comments On Business Pages and Pictures
When you post a comment on a picture, business page, or another post on social media, think about it first. Many older people don’t realize the impact that these comments can have on people. They are there forever (unless you delete your account or the comment is deleted by you or the owner of the other account) and people can respond to your comments. If you post something off the cuff without thinking about it first, you may find yourself overwhelmed with responses and messages, sometimes negative. Make sure you only comment things that you would say in real life, and remember that anything inappropriate or offensive could get you a ban.
Do Post Things That Really Matter To You
When posting on your own social channels, post things that really matter to you. Some people don’t like to post their grandchildren or young children, as you can’t always be sure who is looking at the pictures. Think before you post, and make sure everybody involved is going to be ok with you sharing certain pictures. You can use iphone photography apps to make any pictures you have taken look professional in no time at all, too, and it can be a lot of fun to use them.
Don’t Feel Pressured
Don’t feel under pressure to post every day, or even every week. You’re lucky that social media doesn’t have much of a hold over you as it does the younger generation. Use it to post things you care about and to follow inspiring pages, but don’t feel like you need to stick to some unspoken rule of posting once a day. If you’re looking to build a following, perhaps for a business or for some other reason, then what and when you post does become more important.
Do Support Small Businesses And Artists
Social media is a great place to find small businesses and artists to support. We’re so used to buying from the high street and mainstream stores, that we forget there are an abundance of incredible small businesses and artists out there! Their work tends to be made with love and higher quality, so they make perfect gifts whether for you or for someone you love. Supporting small businesses can mean so much to the owner, so consider looking here before you go to the highstreet.
Don’t Overwhelm Yourself With Every Platform Under The Sun
There are numerous social media platforms you can use, but if you open one of everything you’ll probably overwhelm yourself. You don’t necessarily need to have Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Pinterest, and more. Use only the platforms you get along with and enjoy. They are all slightly different, so make sure you’re aware of the differences before you pick the ones for you. For example:
- Instagram is image and video focused, although captions are a popular way to spread information and help others.
- Pinterest is primarily a photo platform where you can make different boards for different interests and themes.
- Facebook is a popular way to keep in touch with friends and family, but you may be able to join groups that match your interests here or find small businesses.
- Twitter can be a place to keep up with the news and what’s trending, celebrities, and post short thoughts of your own (sometimes pictures but not as popular).
- LinkedIn is usually for professionals who want to build a network of other professionals.
Do Resist Temptation To Over Filter Your Pictures
Filtering can give your pictures a subtle look. It can make them look vintage, or like they were taken on a disposable camera, for example. However, overfiltering your pictures, especially pictures of your face, can spoil them. Make sure there’s still detail in your pictures and that if you’re posting an image of yourself, it still looks like you!
Don’t Forget To Protect Your Sensitive Information
Protecting your sensitive information is key online. Avoid oversharing. You don’t need to let everybody know your working hours or when you’re going away on vacation. Ensure you check your privacy settings, too, and that your passwords are strong and different for each platform. Find a safe place to write them down if needs be, or invest in a password organizer.
Do Be Aware of Scams and Frauds
Occasionally, scams and frauds can go around on social media. Before sharing, responding to messages, or clicking any links, make sure you do your research. If something seems like it’s not legit, then there’s probably something going on.