As I sat down to indulge in a couple hours of television last weekend to take in the Golden Globes, I also reached for my iPhone. It’s a common thing for me to do during a major televised event…it’s just part of what I do “working” in social media (ok, it’s fun too). I often participate, and engage, in conversations on Twitter. This activity has become mainstream especially during big events such as the Olympics Opening Ceremony, movie premieres, and Victoria Secret’s Fashion Show. I admit it’s a little addictive.
If you’ve ever gone on Twitter it’s a mish-mash of commentary from media types and random thoughts on different subject matters. In most cases it’s just for fun but you can also get some interesting bits of information. People make comments that may be awesome and supportive or snarky and sarcastic. But every so often you see a tweet that someone has put out there about themselves…
Whether or not they are joking, it occurred to me the other day that we are exposing our thoughts and feelings that could influence others. And it’s such a different world. Social media makes things even more accessible. Opinions are in the public domain and on Twitter, you have no idea who sees your tweets. They don’t need to even “follow” you.
I have a few Twitter followers who are teens – including my niece. And I get hit with a reality check once in a while. They aren’t just able to see my tweets but others – from celebrities to their friends. They are influenced in so many ways and I feel a responsibility with what I put out there…and not just for their sake but for my own.
There is a movement on Twitter that is going on right now to turn around this negative self talk. Dove (@DoveCanada) is setting out to engage with women, who use social media to criticize their looks, and encourage them to make a positive change in their thinking and to inspire other women to do the same.
Dove Canada began engaging with women who use Twitter to criticize their appearance by literally flipping their negative posts into positive messages about their own beauty. In each case, Dove used the hashtag #dovepositivechange to promote the idea of positive messages about beauty to women everywhere.
This is the message we need to get across.
If you’re on Twitter join us and tweet out something positive about yourself so we can share with our daughters, nieces, mothers, aunts, grandmothers, friends, and all of our sisters.
Tweet us @UrbanMomsCA #dovepositivechange and show the love!
I agree with the positive messages, but why do they need to be focused on your physical appearance? Why is a girl’s self worth based on whether she considers herself beautiful?
I see my son’s facebook wall and there are constantly girls posting pictures of themselves with other girls posting “beautiful” underneath. Seems harmless until you realize that they are tying their self-worth to what others think of their appearance.
I am smart. I am creative. I am awesome. I am helpful. I am caring. I am a good reader. Large list at http://www.childrenlights.com/Articles/article_empowering_children_affirmations.htm
All are positive messages that do not focus on appearance.
YES! This.
Thank you, Sonya. I’d been slowly becoming jaded about some social media – I didn’t know where my discomfort stemmed from but I think now it’s that my daughter (closing in on her teens very quickly) is becoming more and more aware and exposed to this kind of stuff, and I don’t really know how best to shield her from it all.
I know I can’t make it go away, and I won’t be able to ban her from facebook and twitter – anyone who thinks they can is fooling themselves (kids have access to social media EVERYWHERE – school, friends’ houses, smartphones, etc.).
At least one thing I can do is to help contribute to the positive messages out there.
Excellent post Sonya and a terrific idea! I will be joining the movement!