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Basic Social Media Etiquette for Special Celebrations

by Innov8tiv.com
Social media continues to infiltrate our lives in unthinkable ways. Apart from allowing us to keep in touch with family and friends and follow the doings of our favorite celebs, it also makes it possible to share what we deem as important news with the world at the touch of a few buttons. When engaging on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, for instance, it is very important to adhere to basic social media etiquette. This is particularly important when you are attending a special event such as a wedding or gender-reveal party as well as a celebration of life. Here are a few things to remember that will help you avoid making any social media faux pas.

If it’s not your baby, don’t break the news

While it may seem hard to believe, there are people that just cannot help themselves when it comes to announcing a pregnancy or the outcome of a gender reveal before even the expecting parents can.  When it comes to any pregnancy and birth-related announcements the rules are very simple: if you weren’t asked by the parents or if the baby isn’t yours, don’t post about it until it is public knowledge. Instead, control your impulsive urges and steer clear of social media until the desire to spread the news disappears or you are given the go-ahead to share it. It might also be helpful to remind yourself that by posting out of turn you can ruin a precious ritual of sharing the very important news in a specific manner.

Weddings are meant to be enjoyed by all

Although someone’s wedding is undoubtedly one of the happiest days of their lives, not everyone wants their special moments plastered all over social media before they themselves have a chance to share glimpses of their big day.  If you are attending a wedding, always respect the wishes of the bridal couple. In other words, if you are asked not to post on social media during the ceremony, then simply don’t. If however, the couple has come up with a special hashtag for their wedding and is encouraging guests to make it trend during the proceedings, you can post to your heart’s content. Just make sure you follow a few basic rules such as staying out of the photographer’s way, not using your flash excessively and refraining from posting unflattering photos.

Funerals deserve a great deal of respect

Death is a very sensitive subject and deserves a great deal of respect. This includes resisting the need to post on social media during a celebration of life such as a funeral or memorial service. While there are some people who won’t mind a social media commentary of the event, others will find it both distasteful and a violation of the deceased’s dignity. Before posting on social media during a service you are attending, try finding out what the family’s wishes are. If you do end up sharing details about the service on social media, be very mindful of both the photos you post and the wording you use, and make sure your timing won’t be frowned upon either.
Social media has made the world a lot smaller by allowing us to connect with friends and family from across the world. As long as we adhere to basic etiquette, we can enjoy all the benefits of social media without upsetting or offending anyone.

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