For the first time, I've been thinking about social media differently.
I've never been someone who shares every thought, every opinion or even what I'm having for dinner!
But as Chief Officer of Sight Support Ryedale, I'm beginning to appreciate just how important platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok are in raising awareness, reaching new audiences and giving people with sight loss a voice.
Technology has transformed the way we connect. For people living with a visual impairment, it is so much more than social media. It keeps people connected with family and friends, supports independence through accessible technology, provides access to information and services and creates opportunities to be part of communities that might otherwise feel out of reach. In so many ways, technology is a powerful tool for inclusion.
At Sight Support Ryedale, we've been fortunate to secure funding for a Digital Inclusion project, enabling us to support people with sight loss to develop their digital skills and confidence. We've seen first-hand the difference this makes - from someone making their first video call to family, to accessing online banking, using the NHS App, shopping independently, or simply feeling more connected to the world around them.
But with that opportunity comes responsibility.
As we encourage more people to embrace technology and social media, how do we also help them navigate the risks?
How do we build confidence without creating fear and how do we keep people safe online while still encouraging independence and participation?
Then there are the keyboard warriors. The abusive comments, the threats and the negativity that can follow even the most well-intentioned post. The easy option is to turn comments off, but is that really the answer? Doesn't that also shut down the positive conversations we want to encourage?
Then there's content creation. Some of our members with lived experience of sight loss want to make videos. They want to educate, challenge misconceptions and sometimes, simply have a laugh about the everyday realities of living with a visual impairment. Humour can be a powerful way of connecting with people.
Yet, before we even press 'post', we're already worrying.
Will someone be offended? Will someone misunderstand? Will there be backlash?
Since when did the fear of criticism become stronger than the value of authentic voices? I'm not suggesting we ignore people's feelings or post content without thought. Far from it. We have a responsibility to be respectful, inclusive and representative. But perhaps we also need to accept that we will never create content that everyone agrees with.
If the people with lived experience want to tell their stories, in their own way, shouldn't we be creating the space for that rather than holding them back because of what someone else might think?
I'm still learning. I'm still finding my feet in this world of social media.
As a charity leader, I want to embrace technology because I see the difference it makes every day. But I also want to ensure that the people we support, our volunteers, our staff and our organisation are protected from the darker side of the online world.
So I'm interested to hear from others.
How do you balance authenticity with sensitivity?
How do you keep people safe online without discouraging them from participating?
How do you protect your staff, volunteers and the people you support from online negativity while still giving them a platform to be heard?
And where do you think we should draw the line?
I'd genuinely love to hear your thoughts.
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