Messaging has always been a core component when it comes to communication. As online interactions become more transcendent, more and more options for messaging are incorporated into business, educational, and even legal practice. While this opens up a plethora of opportunities to reach new milestones, it also increases the probability of harmful exchanges. If somebody sends you a chat to congratulate a job well done, several others can do the same, except that they would rather comment harshly on your appearance rather than praise accomplishment.
Facebook has steadily grown into the social media titan that it is today. As a result, Facebook and all of its offspring platforms enjoy a very sizable amount of traffic and use. With its popularity and reach, Facebook, and consequently Facebook Messenger, have an unprecedented amount of exposure, attracting both opportunity and unpleasantries.
Facebook has partnered with Dr. Linda Papadopoulos to establish a new framework that helps users set healthy messaging boundaries to combat the growing prevalence of massaging-related risks.
Guarding Yourself On Messenger
As illustrated in the framework, Facebook’s overview outlines how users can determine whether or not an interaction may be harmful. It’s more of a visual notice rather than a functional chat feature that aids users in choosing an appropriate course of action. On the lightest note, it’s an official reminder from the platform and its partners that users are not powerless and defenseless in the face of offensive messaging.
Messenger goes on further stating that:
“Sometimes, people can overstep our boundaries online – whether they mean to or not. To spot the warning signs, Dr. Papadopoulos says: “It might sound basic, but check your own temperature – how am I feeling? Am I feeling anxious? Am I noticing my feelings change? If you feel a bit worse about yourself every time you speak to a certain person – or if even thinking about speaking to that person makes you feel anxious – that’s a huge red flag.”
Especially in recent times, the new framework can really help protect the integrity of younger users who are more exposed to the dangers of the online public space, but rely on the platform’s communicative prowess.
Note that there are also tools at your disposal to filter unwanted messages. Check your messaging settings to manage better and sort messages that you receive. Report or block suspicious contacts. Set your online status. Watch for safety notices. There’s a decent amount of protection available, so we recommend extensively reviewing each one. Learn more here.
The Wrap
Digital interaction inadvertently has corresponding psychological impacts. Like how conversation can mentally affect individuals depending on the nature of the conversation, online messaging can have the same effects depending on the nature of messages. We live in the information age, so one of the best tips to stay safe online is to stay informed and updated.
Increased reliance on digital interaction and higher levels of social media users has, unfortunately, led to an increase in online acts of violence. An article in 2019 from USAToday stated that around 53% of Americans experienced hate speech. That’s a little bit more than half the entire populace of the USA. Somebody could be suffering from attacks on messenger at this moment; it could be a friend, a relative, a client, or even a business partner. Remember the things that can shield you, and always remain vigilant.
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