According to Wikipedia, the term “enabling” can have both a positive and a negative connotation.
As a positive term, it references patterns of interaction which allow individuals to develop and grow…In a negative sense, enabling is also used in the context of problematic behavior, to signify dysfunctional approaches that are intended to help but in fact may perpetuate a problem.
While talking to my mom, I realized that social media has enabled me in many ways, both positive and negative.
My mom, who recently started stalking my Twitter stream (she doesn’t actually have her own Twitter account) said, “It’s unbelievable to me that you’re so boisterous on the Internet.”
In “real life”, I’m reserved and hesitant to share details about myself with other people. With my close friends and family, I am much more open, talkative, and silly.
Online, everyone gets the version of Laryssa that I only share with friends and family. My online friends have encouraged me and helped me feel like I have something worth sharing. That support makes me more excited to share my ideas and thoughts.
Writing can be very personal, and sharing writing can be a scary experience. When I share writing online, I can focus on the positive feedback and filter the negative feedback as I choose. I truly believe that social media has helped me become a more daring and confident person.
However, I sometimes wonder if social media enables negative aspects of my personality. Social media can trigger my vanity, my short temper, and my brashness. I constantly have to keep my online personality in check and ask myself if my words and actions are enhancing or damaging my image.
Has social media helped you grow or change as a person in “real life”?
(Photo by Alaskan Dude)
Twitter hasn’t changed the person I am in “real life.” Instead, I like to think of Twitter and my blog as extensions of my real-life personality, no matter how arrogant or obnoxious I appear. That’s the whole package. That’s my brand.
This is interesting. I’ve encountered two posted published today that touch on how Twitter effects the personality. (The first was over at Carlee Mallard’s blog, which I think you might enjoy reading. http://bit.ly/9Yo7AC)
I think I am more in Jennifer Deseo’s court. I can’t really say that Twitter has changed me much. (Though I have only been using it for a few weeks.) Now as time goes on I work to change the things about myself that I feel need the work, and interacting with people on Twitter can sometimes help that mission move forward, just as interacting with people anywhere can do so. But I can’t say it’s BECAUSE of Twitter.
As for you, I don’t think in terms of enabling with this. If Twitter demonstrates both you positive and “negative” traits, then it simply is a tool by which more people can get to know the real you more quickly. If people don’t like that, they don’t have to follow you.
But if like me Twitter helps you become more aware of things you want to improve about yourself, that it has served a great purpose!