I like yellow, I like sunflowers, I like smiles. So you can bet that I want this bookish corner of the internet to be a happy and positive place. Staying safe online is one thing and staying happy on it is another entirely. 

There is a lot of talk surrounding social media and how it affects mental health, mainly negatively. I think this is a real shame. I created my blog and my social channels to spread joy and happiness where I can, it isn’t a place for hate or sadness. It’s a yellow, bubbly, sunflower explosion corner of the internet and it is a safe place. I see my social media and my blog as a huge aid to my mental health, allowing me to have met some amazing people that have really helped me through some tough times. But how can we make sure we’re creating safe and happy environments and communities online?

Be kind online, don’t be a digital-bully

Think before you write. Is this something you would say to someone’s face? Is it going to hurt them or be taken in the wrong way? If you’re sending a message online that you don’t think is very kind, ask yourself why you’re doing it. If someone has upset you online or said something that you found offensive, the best way to solve it is through a private message. Make sure you are happy to message them privately and you feel safe to do so, but this is a lot better than airing your issues publicly. This could result in unneeded hate being sent to users from other accounts and everything can get really blown out of proportion. We’re all human, we all make mistakes. Give this person the chance to realise this privately before you air it publicly. 

Block/delete/report any negative comments in your space

If you are finding yourself the victim of negative comments or you are seeing others being attached online, you can do something about it. You don’t want to get caught up in a back and forth argument between people online, so if you’re finding their posts have a negative effect on your mental health you can block them or report the message. If it’s a comment left on a site you own, you can delete the comment too and stop anyone else from being affected by it. 

Look out for other users online and support each other

It isn’t hard to type a nice message to a blogger/user you appreciate and admire. You don’t need a reason or to talk with them often to let them know how much you love what they do. This is such a nice way to keep the space around you online happy, supportive and positive. It’s even more effective if you know this user is having a tough time of it and your positivity could give them a much-needed boost. 

Remember not everything you see online is real

It can be really easy to feel bad about yourself when you see someone online that appears ‘better than you’. First off, no, no one is better than you because you are the very best you ever. Secondly, you don’t know what is going on behind the phone. A smiling photo on a beach could be a front, it could not, but take everything with a pinch of salt that you see online. Don’t let yourself feel bad about anything because of what you’ve seen, and if someone isn’t making you feel great about yourself, just unfollow them.

Step away from toxic behaviour

It is so, so easy to get caught up in arguments online when you see something happening that you don’t agree with. But there is a line between standing up for what is right, or for yourself and protecting your mental health. Sometimes, as tough as it may be, it’s easier to step away, take a breath and leave it. If you’ve received a hateful comment, don’t acknowledge it, because you will only give it room to grow and fester. Be the bigger person and know the for one negative comment, there will always be so, so many more positive ones.

Be careful what you share on the internet and how much you want people to know about you

This will be different for everyone, some people may want to be very private online and even create a different persona to protect themselves. Similarly, others may be happy to be very open online and tell their followers a lot about them. Whether you’re one, or the other, or a happy medium, as long as you are safe, this is what is important. Remember that whatever you put on the internet is probably going to be there forever, so be careful and don’t say anything you may later regret.