Election Week Social Media Policy

It happens every time. Election Week brings out the "haters" on Twitter, Facebook, Blogs, and other social media venues.

My policy is that I un-follow people who cross the line from political commentary and opinion into "HATE". This has nothing to do with political ideology. There are an equal number of hate-filled people on the right and the left side of the spectrum.... and during election cycles they come out in droves.

Passions run strong when elections are on the line.... and some people cannot help themselves. Their dislike for the positions of someone on the other side of ideology gets the best of them and they make it personal. They say horrible things. Some do it in the name of comedy, others just spew their vomit as a way to claim their superior status.

I figure if they cannot control their hate from spilling into the Twitter stream, then I should not be wasting my time following them. A simple click and they disappear.

I do this to liberals and conservatives. I see many people who get angry with hateful comments about the candidates they support, but laugh at awful things said about the candidates they disagree with when it comes to political beliefs.

I think hate is hate (politics aside) and when it comes to social media, I delete those who cloud the internet with "yuckiness". I simply do not think we need rude, disrespectful and snarky comments. Yep, some friends vanish from my social media lists during elections. If they notice (and ask "why?") I tell them. Most never even notice I am gone.

If everyone had a similar policy then the internet might be a more civil place.

What do you think?

Have A Great Day (and go vote!)

thom