A Social Media Coach Is Begging People To Stop This Common Online Habit

Those of us who use social media regularly know that it can have many benefits—networking, keeping in touch with loved ones, sharing hilarious memes with friends, etc.—but there can be plenty of downsides as well. Between news fatigue, comparing your own day-to-day grind with the "highlight reels" of others, doom-scrolling and more, it can sometimes feel tricky to navigate this online space. Luckily, there are individuals out there who know how to help.

Giselle Ugarte , an award-winning social media coach who refers to herself as an "online performance coach" as she focuses on "forward-facing leadership," is one of these modern gurus.

"I joke that personal branding is my way of tricking executives into personal development," she tells Parade . "On the surface it looks like social media strategy, but at the root of it, we recognize issues with a lack of confidence (even or perhaps especially the leaders and CEOs), time management, social media (and/or work and/or screentime) addiction, and building relationships (online and especially off)."

While she's used to coaching individuals in leadership, her tips and tricks are helpful for anyone who's looking for genuine connection in the online space.

"The first step is coaching to have a healthier relationship with social media and technology," she explains about her process. "Then, creating the image of who they are stepping into who they want to be (that's not a grammar error, it's an ongoing presence), whether it's auditing their profile or publishing an authentic post for the first time ever or in a very long time."

And part of having an authentic, healthy relationship with social media includes saying goodbye to problematic online habits and behaviors.

Related: An Etiquette Expert Is Begging People To Stop This Surprisingly Common Habit in Social Settings

The Online Habit To Break, According to a Social Media Coach

The online habit Ugarte is begging people to stop? It's "using filters."

"Whether it's the literal filters that alter your appearance, blurring your background on Zoom, or refusing to update your headshot that no longer looks like you," she clarifies.

In many cases, instead of enhancing our appearance, these practices simply make us less authentic.

"We need to create a culture that embraces being our-real-selves online and reframe photography and even making videos from being fancy, glamorous and special (and often staged and fake), into an everyday way to connect with your people and help them to experience what it would be like to see you, meet you or work with you in real life—today, in this body and this hair color," she tells Parade .

It might not seem like these "harmless" decisions are that serious, but Ugarte disagrees.

"Small, seemingly subtle habits like these (because that's really what they are, habits) can subconsciously chip away at your self-confidence, as well as set unrealistic expectations for both ourselves and others," she explains. "It's crazy how every client I've ever had who has been resistant to drop filters tells me that doing so CHANGED THEIR LIVES. Showing up authentically online, flaws, wrinkles, and all—helped them show up more confidently offline and build deeper connections with others in the process."

Related: An Etiquette Expert Is Begging People To Stop This 'Rude' Habit in Public

Other Problematic Social Media Behaviors To Avoid

It's not just about filters—Ugarte also wants to warn people to pay attention to the language they use about online platforms.

"One of the more important mindset traps I see is people blaming social media for why they feel bad about themselves, whether it's because their feed is a highlight reel or looks like a dumpster fire," she explains. "The reality is, social media is a mirror."

How so?

"It reflects where we're spending our time," Ugarte continues. "People don't realize that we have so much more influence and control over their algorithms than we think. Every like, comment, and share—but, especially, every article you spend time reading or video you spend time watching, even if you don't engage at all—teaches the platform what to show them more of. If your feed feels toxic, it might be time for a time audit and a people audit, which is when we dig deep to see where you're spending your time and with who (again, online and off)."

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Related: A Social Media Coach Is Begging People To Start This 'Surprisingly Healthy' Online Habit

Source:

Giselle Ugarte is a social media coach and motivational speaker. She's been creating and studying online video content for 15 years.

She is on a mission to teach you how to have a healthy relationship with social media, which led her to be named by TikTok as one of the "Top 100 Women to Watch."