FEATURE
NAVIGATING SOCIAL MEDIA DURING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING How to stay cool, protect yourself, and make the most of your time By Cynthia Bifolchi
With collective bargaining ongoing, the government’s cuts and misinformation remaining rampant, and teachers being forced to take strike action, tensions on social media are high right now. We understand you may want to engage – to counter misinformation, to share your experiences of what is going on in your school and classroom, or to show solidarity with your fellow teachers and education workers. However, we know that standing up for students and Ontario’s publicly funded education system is a deeply personal issue for teachers. While there is plenty of support and positivity on social media, there is also a lot of negativity, which can feel overwhelming and upsetting. Increasingly, we see teachers being subjected to insults and harassment, and being drawn into unproductive debates. Here are a few tips on how to navigate social media during this difficult time. Be vigilant of “trolls” and “bots” A “troll” is a person, usually using an anonymous account or a fake identity, who thrives on attention or derives amusement from distressing others. In recent years, we have also seen the rise of “bots” – automated accounts that are created to influence online discourse. If you are just starting out on social media, it can be more difficult to know who is a troll or bot. Consider whether: • They have a profile picture and posts (a bot’s account will look strangely barren) • They are using proper punctuation (trolls tend not to) • Their message appears to be solely intended to provoke a reaction • Their comments use sweeping generalizations and are devoid of facts • Their posts show intolerance, bigotry, etc. • Their posts show they have a particular “axe to grind”
Assess if engaging is constructive or destructive Constructive conversations between people who have different opinions is how we learn and understand each other, but some people are just not interested in a genuine give-and-take. It can be tempting to engage with trolls, particularly if you are passionate about your standpoint, but it is usually a waste of time. Using the tips in this article, and your personal judgment, assess if engaging with a person is worth it. You do not want to emerge from social media mentally drained and upset. Here are some questions to ask yourself: • Does this person want a constructive conversation? • Are this person’s comments intentionally hurtful? • Is this person just looking for attention? • Is this person enjoying that I am upset? • Why am I continuing to engage with this person? • Is stepping away from this conversation the best course of action for my mental health?
Use the block feature Each social media platform has a “block” option, which you can use to prevent another user seeing your page or engaging with your posts. They will not be notified that you have blocked them. Go to the help section of the platform(s) you use to find out more about blocking. Take time away If you get overwhelmed, or it is not serving you, step away from social media for as long as you need. Your mental health should be your priority. Celebrate! Throughout this period of unrest, social media can be enjoyable too! Use your platform(s) to share your positive experiences, post messages of support and solidarity, and talk about the great work teachers do. Cynthia Bifolchi is Social Media Assistant in the Communications and Government Relations departments at the OECTA Provincial Office.
Do not set out to change minds Social media is a powerful way to share your experiences about what is really happening in your classroom as a result of the government’s cuts. However, there are some people who support the government’s agenda, or who have a particular dislike for teachers and/or unions. It is advisable not to go to social media with the goal of changing these people’s minds. If you do, it is likely you will end up frustrated and exhausted. Instead, stick to the facts and refute misinformation with evidence. If another user attacks your posts in a way you think is disrespectful or “trolling,” ask yourself the questions above and use your judgment to decide whether to proceed with the interaction. FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 | CATHOLIC TEACHER 11
