It's hard to go a week without hearing about the negative effects of social media. Teens' mental health, political misinformation, predatory business ventures- it all paints a bleak picture of the sites most of us use every day.

For those of us who work in the social media space, it raises some questions. What are the ethics of marketing on these platforms? How can we use Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and all the rest to increase the value of these online spaces in a positive, non-harmful way?

Tell the truth.

Honesty is the best policy- always. Obviously your caption copy should be clear and free of misleading claims or information. But what about images? How much editing is too much? I'd say this is something you know when you see it: who doesn't use a filter when filming reels? However, if you're editing bodies to cartoonish proportions or smoothing faces until they look flat, take a step back and consider the impact these photos and videos might have.

Create real connections.

Social media is meant to be social! Spammy comments, busting into DM's with hard sells- these self-serving actions aren't helping you or anyone on social media. Social media can be a great equalizer where small brands can create communities that rival those of the big guys- that's part of the incredible value of these platforms- but the connections made should be genuine.

Don't steal content.

By all means, follow accounts in your industry and find inspiration in their posts! Just never, ever plagiarize- stealing graphics or copying captions word-for-word is a massive ethical breach.

At the end of the day, social media is a tool like any other. Using social media to grow your brand and your connections is a very positive outcome of these platforms, and that's what we need to be promoting! As business owners on social media, we just need to remember to use our powers for good.