1. Like your friends’ stuff! Even if you bestie’s new profile picture is only mediocre, you like it anyways because you wouldn’t give it a second look if it was posted by anyone else. It’s just what friends do to show support for each other. We all know it’s nice to get likes on our social media posts. You should never rely on them to feel validated, but they are nice for a little confidence boost every now and then. And who wouldn’t want to give her friends that kind of boost?
2. It’s ok to keep a few embarrassing pictures of your friends, but never share them! If you’re friends for long enough, you’re bound to end up with a few embarrassing photos of each other (Think back to grade 7 when the entire squad got their first digital cameras for Christmas). They’re nice for a laugh between friends but you should never share them with anyone else without permission.
3. Ask before posting photos of each other. This is especially true when you know it’s not necessarily the most flattering photo of your friend. But if you do accidentally break this rule, refer to rule #4.
4. Always delete or un-tag photos when you’re asked to. Even if you think your friend looks really hot in a photo you posted, she may not agree. Everyone is their own toughest critic and it’s important to be comfortable with what people can see of you online. So if someone asks you to take down a photo you posted, just do it. It may hurt if it was a good photo of you too, but that’s the kind of sacrifice we make for our friends.
5. Keep private matters within your private messages. If it’s not something you would want the world to know about you, it shouldn’t be made public on your friend’s facebook page. For example: “HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BEST FRIEND IN THE WHOLE WORLD!!” is an acceptable post. “Sorry to hear you failed your midterm ☹” should be kept in a private message.
6. Remember that everyone has an audience. Your friend may have her grandparents or coworkers on Facebook, for example. So it’s probably a bad idea to tag her in a photo where she’s holding a bottle of tequila in one hand and sticking up her middle finger with the other. This is especially true during Jobmine season when potential employers may be looking for red flags online before deciding who to interview. However…
7. Always tag good pictures! If you’re posting a nice picture that your friend has already approved for sharing, make sure you tag her in it. This makes her profile look better too and ensures that she gets to share in the ego boost from all the like and comment notifications.
But remember…
8. Don’t get so caught up in social media and technology that you forget about the real stuff. When you’re with your friends, be truly present. Instead of scrolling through social media, put down your phone and give your friends your full attention. At the end of the day, they’re what really matters.