Pom in Oz with Derek Goforth: Be vigilant of your digital footprint and wary of which posts you ‘like’

Whether I like it or not and for good or bad, social media has become an inseparable part of my daily life. It often shapes how I express myself, connect with others and perceive the world. It’s not just about hitting that “post” button; it’s a conscious choice that exposes me to consequences, not only from what I share but also from the support I lend through the simple act of “liking”. Every time I share something, it’s not just about the content I put out there; it’s about the people who engage with it. But this swings both ways — I can’t help but judge what others put out into cyberspace either. My judgment extends beyond those who post objectionable content. It reaches those who endorse it with a “like”. Because let’s face it, every interaction on social media carries a weight. Even in our small little Geraldton community, we have pages that, in my opinion, are set up to belittle, mock and just generally spread misinformation and hate. I am not going to name it directly, but one such page has been set up simply to run down our council and certain members and ex-members of it. The person or persons responsible choose to hide behind the page, posting body shaming, mocking, homophobic and just downright nasty comments at will, with little regard for how they might affect their targets. Some might call this the act of a coward, a spineless gutless coward, who has nothing better to do than hide away and make some sad grasp for attention. You have to wonder just how opinionated people like this would be if they were physically in a room with the person they are attempting to belittle? I tend to think they may very well just sit there with a shut mouth. Like most people, I do post my “opinions” on Facebook and other avenues but, like most, I do it from my own account, with my own name and therefore have to deal directly with how this affects others. Pressing that “post” button brings a sense of vulnerability because, once it’s out there, I lose some control. Even if I decide to delete a post, it might have already been seen, shared or saved by others. As I know only too well, social media, with its diverse opinions, isn’t always a haven for positivity. Posting opens me up to criticism, not just in the form of constructive feedback. The anonymity the digital world provides emboldens people to express opinions they might shy away from in face-to-face interactions. People like the admin of our anti-council page may also take the opportunity of anonymity to lash out without fear of consequence? I don’t have time for cowards, so I don’t really have advice for people like this. But I do have a little advice for others who choose to “like”, “love” or “laugh” at such posts. People can see you, they will judge you and once you click that button, it’s done and whether you like it or not, it’s out there for all time for everyone to see. Derek Goforth is an expat of 13 years and father of three living and working in Geraldton