Healthy Social Media Use
Social media is changing the way the world communicates.
Social media can create myriad opportunities but also opens up new pitfalls along the way.
We want Howard students to have fun and take advantage of all of the great opportunities that social media has to offer.
We also want Howard students to be safe about how much they share, and be mindful about how their posts may impact their futures.
We think all of these are possible.
How can we help?
Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs
studentaffairs@howard.edu
202-806-2100
Monday - Friday | 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Social Media and Mental Health
As the saying goes, "all good things in moderation." As fun and useful as social media can be, too much of it can have a negative impact on your mental health.
Be mindful about the ways that you use social media and how it's affecting your mental health. If you think your social media use is having a negative impact, consider adjusting your usage.
Social Media Safety
Of course you know not to share your personal information or passwords on social media. It's also important to make sure that you don't inadvertently share identifying information in your photos or videos.
Be mindful of the links you share as well. Sometimes students mean well by sharing documents with information to help each other, but if everyone on the internet has access to that information, you could accidentally put someone in harm's way.
Social Media and Professional Life
Your social media accounts are a reflection of you. Be mindful about what you post and the impression that leaves others about you.
Social media is an important way for the university to connect with students. But it's important to balance the serious, professional side with the fun, personal side.
Photos
There are some things you want to keep private. There are some things you're okay with sharing now, but in a few years you'll wish you had kept them private. Do a favor for Future You and think about it for a while before you hit that button.
Your photos and the content of your posts should also reflect you in the way that you want to be seen.
Names and Handles
In the Division of Student Affairs, students ask us serious and important questions on social media. Sometimes, those questions are sent to us from student accounts with a name or handle that are too obscene to repeat here. At the very least, it's awkward, but it can be harmful to your career or other professional endeavors.
When you interact in a professional manner, including with your university, think about the name you're using to establish contact. Is it a name that you want those in your academic life to associate with you?
Content
Social media is all about sharing your opinions and perspectives. Just be mindful how you say it. Is it something that would make people hesitant to work with you in the future? For example, if you indiscriminately take your problems to social media, would a future company or organization be concerned that you would do the same there?
Social Media and Community Conduct
Howard University has high expectations for its students, and that extends to social media. We expect that students will conduct their online choices with Truth, Service, Leadership, and Excellence, as they do in their academic and social lives.
If you think a behavior or action would be inappropriate in person, use that same discretion on social media.