Thread by @DrPetra

There is so much online drama currently that you absolutely do not have to join in with.

If it’s safer for you to log off or disengage, do that.

If you want to contribute something, make it positive to benefit you or others on or offline.

You can support and defend other people in productive ways that don’t have to be done in public.

Pick your battles.

There is a lot of pressure to perform advocacy and allyship. But if it’s making you unwell or unsafe and/or doing very little to bring change then consider other ways to assist others and make a difference. Avoid pressuring others to take action or for not publicly doing enough.

If you want to fight back you’ll be more effective if you are prepared, rested, protected and focused. If you’re endlessly involved in online arguments you’ll be exhausted, distracted and endlessly firefighting. Obviously how you engage online is your choice, but do it with care.

Remember other people *love* drama, particularly in these challenging times when sympathy is in short supply. They’ll happily encourage others to wound one another. You’ll get more attention for hate, but it won’t make you feel better. And few people will assist if you are harmed

It is very difficult to take something back once you’ve said it. No matter how angry you were at the time or sorry you are feeling after. If you want to fight back it may help if you say only what you mean and are happy to defend.

Again, social media can amplify divisions and allow arguments and abuse to play out online that you would not tolerate offline. You don’t have to join in directly or indirectly by endlessly witnessing hate. You can switch off and care for yourself and those you love.

And this is especially necessary if you’re vulnerable or unsafe offline. You need all your energies for survival there so don’t sap your strength by allowing others to goad or wound you here where onlookers care more for the spectacle than your personal safety.

You owe nobody your time or energy on social media, especially people you don’t know, or perhaps you do know but who don’t care for you.

Some people are abusive and hateful because that’s just them (always has been), or for attention,pleasure,or because it benefits them financially or in other ways. Who cares why they act as they do? You don’t need to be their attention supply. Bypass them and tackle issues direct

It’s also good to sit with that feeling of “I must say something”. Because yes, sometimes you must. But more often what you’re feeling is “I must do something” and that doing can take a variety of forms to better assist others and yourself. A social media break may bring clarity

Sometimes when we’re struggling with grief, trauma or other unresolved conflict we run towards risky or unpleasant situations. If you’re seeking out social media exchanges that let you vent but also leave you even more bruised and damaged it might be time to seek help elsewhere