In spring 2020, I crafted myself 5 rules for how I would engage on Twitter. Generally, I think they've worked well for me:
1. Tweet with intent 🖋️
2. Stay positive 🙂
3. Engage in good faith 🫱🏿🫲🏻
4. You don't owe anyone a response 💁🏻♀️
5. Never feed the trolls 🧌
1/9
First, a disclaimer: These are the rules I try to follow. But I'm not perfect - I've broken them; I've made mistakes.
But in general, I've stuck to them. I do think they've allowed me to have a better social media experience in the last 3 years than many, & I'm grateful.
2/9
1. Tweet with intent 🖋️
I try to not to tweet reactively or randomly. Doesn't mean everything has to be science, but does mean I try to ask, "why am I tweeting this? what am I trying to accomplish?" This keeps me more focused in what I choose to share.
3/9
2. Stay positive 🙂
Sometimes a real challenge in the last 3 yrs, but if I'm criticising or sharing bad news, I try to include what we can do about it (provide actionable next steps) & a reminder that it's never too late to try to do better (hope). Prevents helplessness.
4/9
3. Engage in good faith 🫱🏿🫲🏻
See also 5 - but I try to read responses/Qs in the best light I can, if someone seems to genuinely have a question or misunderstanding. Responding in good faith has often turned a bad interaction around & left both of us happier!
5/9
4. You don't owe anyone a response 💁🏻♀️
This one is a big one for me. This is Twitter, not a conference or meeting. I never have to respond if I don't want to or don't have the energy. Nobody can demand a response from me. It's my time/energy to give if I so choose.
6/9
5. Never feed the trolls 🧌
It can take all my self control not to clap back sometimes, but I rarely do. Because it's not worth it: they have more time/energy than you & you'll never win. Plus you are so boring they leave you alone! & prevents angry replies you may regret.
7/9
Sometime following these rules means writing "friendly" replies through gritted teeth. Sometimes it means shutting down the whole thing for 2 days so I don't explode at someone who really got under my skin. Sometimes it means sitting on a thread for a day to think it over.
8/9
But overall it has helped make my time on Twitter intentional & focused. It has discouraged trolls, abuse & bad-actors. It has helped me have helpful, meaningful interactions.
It hasn't all been good. But I do think these rules have helped!
9/9
@firefoxx66 thanks for sharing - never written it down in such a way, but basically following them ;-) - will print them now
