The Importance of Responsible Social Media Usage and Online Safety

In today's networked world, social media has become a big part of our lives, including the pro-wrestling industry that you and I are passionate about. It has transformed wrestling fandom. It has given a platform to the independent professional, with us seeing content creators who do the same work as a PR firm by leveraging media to do work for promotions in Japan, the United States, Canada, and China while in one location, being a global bridge-builder and strategic storyteller who uses digital media to elevate promotions across diverse markets. Social media can be used to create mystery (an appealing angle in itself) and blur the lines between a work and a shoot, a narrative that I call, "kayfabe 2.0", which drives social engagement. By using social media effectively, a promoter can reach a wider audience, promote events/merchandise, drive ticket sales and streaming consumption, book talent, and engage with its promotion's fans. Also, leveraging social media is what turns viewers into loyal fans.

However, with social media's great power comes the great responsibility to use it safely and ethically. For promotions, wrestlers, and fans alike, understanding and practicing responsible social media usage and online safety is of the highest importance.

Avoid sharing sensitive personal information, such as addresses, phone numbers, or financial details on social media. Regularly review and adjust privacy settings to control who can see your posts and information. Be cautious of location services and avoid sharing your real-time location with strangers. Also, use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication to protect your accounts from unauthorized access.

Report occurrences of hate speech, harassment, or cyberbullying to social media platforms. The block button is a beautiful thing, and haters are not worth replying to- blocking (or at least muting) abusive accounts can help to minimize exposure to them and negativity that could take a toll on a person's well-being. Avoid engaging with trolls or individuals who are intentionally trying to provoke a reaction, even if it would be to defend someone, as this usually adds fuel to the situation. And keep records of harassment, such as screenshots or messages, in case you need to report it to authorities.

Engage in respectful and constructive conversations, even when disagreeing with others. Verify information before sharing it, and avoid spreading rumors or unverified claims. Create a supportive and welcoming online environment for fans, wrestlers, and promoters, and consider the potential impact of your words and actions before posting on social media.

Set boundaries for social media usage and take breaks to disconnect from the digital world, which is easier said than done, being that social media is specifically engineered with algorithms that trigger dopamine loops, making it difficult to break a seemingly endless cycle of scrolling and notifications. If you are experiencing online harassment or cyberbullying, seek support from friends or family. In addition, be aware of the signs of digital burnout, such as fatigue, anxiety, and irritability.

If you represent a wrestling promotion or brand, maintain a professional demeanor on social media. Be careful what content you share, and avoid posting anything that could be considered controversial or offensive. Remember that anything you post online can have long-term consequences for your reputation.

If you run a wrestling promotion, establish clear social media guidelines for wrestlers and staff. Provide training on responsible social media usage and online safety, and since mistakes can happen and a single post, a leaked video, or a misinterpreted statement can ignite an unnecessary social media controversy, I advise that you implement a social media crisis management team and strategy.

Most importantly, a pro-wrestling promotion's social media team should monitor social media for instances of harassment or abusive behavior, and take appropriate action while also reminding fans that the wrestlers on the promotion's shows put their safety at risk for the entertainment of the audience. Make mental health resources available to wrestlers (and staff). In addition, look into utilizing AI to oppose online harassment of wrestlers. It can scan very large amounts of text, images, and videos on social media platforms, identifying and flagging possibly harmful content, using natural language processing (NLP) to understand the context and meaning of words, which allows it to detect sly forms of abuse that might be missed by human moderators. Some AI systems can even predict potential harassment before it happens by analyzing user behavior and recognizing patterns associated with abusive language, which allows platforms to take proactive steps to prevent harassment from increasing. These systems are now being used to hide abusive comments before the target sees them.

By practicing responsible social media usage and online safety, we can create a more positive and supportive online environment for everyone in the wrestling community.