social media critical thinking questions

Animator. Director. Artist. Scapegoat.

Social Media Discussion Questions

As I’m still (mostly) on hiatus from Twitter and Fecebook, I fantasize about having a real-life discussion group to talk about social media. Since I don’t have one, I’ll do what I always do: ask online, which is why I developed a social media dependence to begin with. Please answer as many or as few questions as you like.

• Have you ever changed someone else’s mind on social media? How?

Have you ever gotten angry at someone on social media? Why?

• Do you have online friendships or relationships with people you’ve never met in real life?
• Has a conflict on social media affected you offline, in “real life”? How?

Have you lost friendships over things said and done on social media?

Have you ever been publicly shamed on social media? If so, please describe. If not, why not?

Have you ever joined in a public shaming of someone else?

Have you ever witnessed a social media public shaming? Did you say anything? Why or why not?

Have you ever reported a tweet or post? Why? What happened?

Have you ever been reported?

• Do you say things on social media you’re afraid to say in real life?
• Do you say things in real life you’re afraid to say on social media?

Have you ever lied on social media? Why?

• Do you “like” things you don’t actually like, and refrain from “liking” things you do like? Why?

Do you use social media for political activism? How?

How would you stay in touch with your friends without social media?

If your friends all jumped off a cliff on social media, would you do it too? (Answer: yes.)

Update: my answers are in the fifth comment below.

Author: Nina Paley

Animator. Director. Artist. Scapegoat. View all posts by Nina Paley

10 thoughts on “Social Media Discussion Questions”

1. Have you ever changed someone else’s mind on social media? How? No. That is a reality impossibility. 2. Have you ever gotten angry at someone on social media? Why? Yes. Because they didn’t agree with me. 3. Do you have online friendships or relationships with people you’ve never met in real life? Yes. 4. Has a conflict on social media affected you offline, in “real life”? How? No. 5. Have you lost friendships over things said and done on social media? Yes. 6. Have you ever been publicly shamed on social media? If so, please describe. If not, why not? No. I keep my “online” persona as far away from my “real life” as possible. 7. Have you ever joined in a public shaming of someone else? Yes. But, in my favor, they were politicians. 8. Have you ever witnessed a social media public shaming? Did you say anything? Why or why not? Yes. I Joined. As I said, they were politicians, and they had it coming. 9. Have you ever reported a tweet or post? Why? What happened? I don’t think so. I follow the rule “Don’t feed the trolls”. 10. Have you ever been reported? I once “unsubscribed” from a list before they kick me out from it. 11. Do you say things on social media you’re afraid to say in real life? Yes. Lots. 12. Do you say things in real life you’re afraid to say on social media? Yes. Lots. 13. Have you ever lied on social media? Why? Yes, all the time. I see social media as a “game” most of the time, and I have characters for it. There is a great video with Ronnie Chang and Trevor Noah where they say as much. 14. Do you “like” things you don’t actually like, and refrain from “liking” things you do like? Why? My “social network characters” are different from me. 15. Do you use social media for political activism? How? Yes. Expressing my opinions while trying to avoid repercussions from the government and/or employers. 16. How would you stay in touch with your friends without social media? Face to face. Old school style. Humanity had friends long before computers. 17. If your friends all jumped off a cliff on social media, would you do it too? (Answer: yes.) I think I would only cheer them on from the top of the cliff. 😉

1. Yes. If you count blog comment sections as “social media”. How? I laid out the facts, added a little emotion, and waited. It took years in both cases I know of– about 5 years in one case and about 12 years in the other. I’ve had these two people write to tell me that something I said to them took root in their minds and eventually got them to change their minds. In the 5 year case it was just one comment, and in the other, it was a day of back-and-forth where he told me I was crazy and got increasingly angry– to the point I just walked away. Out of the blue, all these years later, he wrote to tell me he doesn’t think I’m crazy anymore.

2. Yes. Some people are just rude. They call you names when they disagree and have no reasons, but dig in their heels anyway.

3. Yes, several. And I’ve ended up meeting some of them in person and enjoying it.

4. Not that I can think of.

5. Only online friendships. And usually involving religious people who flip out when I refuse to believe their particular religion.

6. No. Some have tried, but they had their facts wrong and it was pretty easy to let the air out of their balloons.

7. I have joined in with online criticism of police officers who brag about molesting people over “drugs” or “guns”. Were they “shamed”? I doubt it.

8. Not beyond the above.

9. No. I wouldn’t do that.

11. No. However, I try to not hound people in real life. They know where I stand so endlessly repeating myself isn’t helpful. Online I don’t worry about that.

12. No. There are things I won’t say in either place, for various reasons.

13. Not that I can think of. I’m inconsequential, and lying wouldn’t change that.

14. No. I do occasionally forget to “like” things I actually do like, when I write a comment instead. I get distracted.

15. I hope it’s not “political” to try to convince people that politics is a really bad way to interact with others. My “activism” is to get people to reject the political means (“win/lose”) and to embrace the economic means (“win/win”) instead.

16. I would text or email a few people, but I’d lose touch with almost everyone except those few.

17. No, it doesn’t matter that much to me. I think a lot of people jumped off a cliff over Trump. Pro and con. I didn’t join them.

1. Yes, by being patient and respectful. But it happens rarely. 2. Yes, because I’m not as patient as I wish I was. 3. I think so. I don’t think I have close online friendships with people I’ve never met, but there are names online that I’m pleased to see. 4. Yes. One effectively destroyed my career. 5. Yes. Finding out who your real friends are is hard. 6. Yes, in the fannish mega-flamewar known as Racefail, which I think of as RaceReductionistFail. 7. To my shame, yes. I will always regret being part of the group that denounced William Sanders. 8. Seen many, denounced most. 9. I think I have, but I don’t think anything happened. 10. Almost certainly, but I haven’t noticed any consequences. 11. Depends. On social media, it’s easy to bring up what you’re thinking about, even if you know you’ll get angry disagreement. In real life, you only do that with people you trust. 12. Yes. 13. I don’t think so. Life would be easier for me if I lied more, I suspect, but I can live with that. 14. I might give a sympathy like, but I wouldn’t say my likes are dishonest. 15. Yes, but I suspect anything beyond sharing articles isn’t really politically useful. Most political things people do online play to the choir. 16. Social media is great for keep up with casual friends. I’m unsure whether it helps to keep up with close friends. 17. It would depend on why they said they were jumping.

1. Have you ever changed someone else’s mind on social media? How?

Does Usenet count as social media? Back in the day, I seemed to have a few times. (Also other people changed _my_ mind.) Maybe half a dozen times since I went online in 1986.

2. Have you ever gotten angry at someone on social media? Why?

Not seriously. I have become annoyed with people who were being stupid, but not really, really angry.

3. Do you have online friendships or relationships with people you’ve never met in real life?

I’ve established relationships that began on the Internet and moved to real life.

4. Has a conflict on social media affected you offline, in “real life”? How?

I know of people who lost jobs or job opportunities because of things they wrote on the Internet. I suppose that may have affected my own contributions.

5. Have you lost friendships over things said and done on social media?

Probably not.

6. Have you ever been publicly shamed on social media? If so, please describe. If not, why not?

No. Perhaps because I am shameless. However, I once made a list of all the bad epithets people used on me (Nazi, Communist, fascist, pervert, straight, square, feminist, anti-feminist, etc. etc. etc.) I got up to about 320. Whenever anyone used a new one in any venue I frequented, I would add it to the list and publish the list. I no longer bother with this as the sea of ignorance and stupidity has only grown broader, deeper, and windier.

7. Have you ever joined in a public shaming of someone else?

Not intentionally.

8. Have you ever witnessed a social media public shaming? Did you say anything? Why or why not?

I have observed the beginnings of shamings. Since I thought they were stupid, I did not participate, although sometimes I have expressed the opinion that the shaming was stupid. Also, I call out spammers, vandals, and trolls in the hope that they will go away.

9. Have you ever reported a tweet or post? Why? What happened?

I have reported spammers, etc., to the site administrators.

10. Have you ever been reported?

I have received notices of copyright violation, which I ignored. People have threatened to report me, but I don’t know if they actually did.

11. Do you say things on social media you’re afraid to say in real life?

I probably would not engage a Nazi (for example) in real life if I could avoid doing so.

12. Do you say things in real life you’re afraid to say on social media?

13. Have you ever lied on social media? Why?

I never lie, except to authorities, like business managers or the police.

14. Do you “like” things you don’t actually like, and refrain from “liking” things you do like? Why?

I don’t participate in likings or other applause thingies.

15. Do you use social media for political activism? How?

Propagandizing, advertising, spreading the word, etc.

16. How would you stay in touch with your friends without social media?

Visits, events, phone calls, texts, emails, letters, ESP.

17. If your friends all jumped off a cliff on social media, would you do it too? (Answer: yes.)

As long as I had time to get my wings on.

— Hope this helps….

Thanks everyone for your answers! Please keep ‘em coming. Here are mine:

1. Have you ever changed someone else’s mind on social media?

I assume not. Certainly not by arguing directly. But others who quietly watch arguments online sometimes pay attention and learn things, informing their views. I insist I can’t and don’t change anyone’s mind, but some people have told me privately that their positions have changed because of me. Never from arguing directly though, that is a lost cause.

2. Have you ever gotten angry at someone on social media?

Often. Hence this song: https://soundcloud.com/nina-paley/someone-is-wrong-on-the-internet

Yes, although if I stay off fecebook it will take extraordinary extra effort to maintain those friendships.

LOL. Yes: https://blog.ninapaley.com/2019/02/28/open-letter-to-the-university-of-illinois/ https://blog.ninapaley.com/category/terfy/

During my first fecebook TERFening, several (now former) friends let me know they could no longer associate with me. I’ve been publicly denounced by people I thought were friends.

Shaming implies I did something to be ashamed of, but I’ve definitely been the target of mob attacks and defamations.

I hope not. But given I’ve been online a long time, and only gradually come to understand how effed up online mobbing is, I probably have.

All the damn time. Twitter is nonstop mob wars. In a few instances I have sent personal messages to the targets. A few times, when I’ve seen a friend TERFened, I’ve sent both personal messages of support and alerted other friends who like wading in online shit to show up and support them. Mostly I’m quiet though.

Never. I don’t think the internet should be used that way.

All the damn time. And banned, too: https://blog.ninapaley.com/2017/03/22/the-terfening-online-silencing-campaign/

This one has me a bit stumped, even though I wrote the question. I’ve said nothing online I wouldn’t say in real life. However, in real life I’m hardly ever standing in front of a crowd of 15,000 people, some of whom actively hate me.

I wrote this question because of all the people who tell me in real life they support me and agree with me, but would never say so online out of fear. Recently I bumped into a friend who explained she unfriended me on fecebook because she didn’t want to jeopardize her membership in a real-life group that had many members who publicly denounced me. She apologized for being a coward. I felt bad for her, myself, and everyone.

Mostly lies of omission. I see people say some appalling things, but don’t bother disagreeing with them most of the time. Considering how “out there” and “controversial” I appear, this is ironic – mostly I have kept my virtual mouth shut, but just expressing a teeny bit of what I think has lead to multiple blow-ups.

Apparently J.K. Rowling has been condemned for “liking” the wrong tweets. It is dangerous to express any approval of controversial and unpopular sentiments. I can’t un-know this, so it surely has affected my online behavior in some way.

Depends on how you define political activism. I feel a certain compulsion to tell the truth when the truth becomes suppressed. Is that political? I don’t expect to change minds, but I want people who know the truth but are afraid to say it, see it expressed openly sometimes. Others’ willingness to do that has given me hope and courage, and I wanted to pass it on.

Great question. I’m using email, but being off fecebook especially is a huge blow to my social life. I’m making more real-time phone calls, because hearing a live human voice is grounding in a way online messaging is not.

We’re all jumping off this cliff together.

Hi Nina, You can’t change someone else’s mind. But… I’ll just say it again…. you have certainly helped ME change MY mind on a number of topics. Keep it up!

My own answer is “no, I never touch the stuff” (unless this comment section counts, I suppose).

Yes. Reasonable (respectful) discussion & evidence to back-up my position(s).

Yes. Stupidity. Ignoring evidence. Unprovoked ideological attacks. Toxic behaviour they’d never get away with IRL.

Yes! Looking forward to the day I actually meet some of them IRL.

Yes. Grief-inducing loss of IRL friendships and disillusionment/loss of faith in peoples’ critical thinking skills.

Yes. But by now that’s OK. I don’t want to be friends with dogmatic assholes.

Yes but not often, and not ‘legitimate’ (e.g. being called transphobic for questioning/criticizing gender-ideology). I make an effort to behave responsibly enough online that any kind of public-shaming isn’t warranted.

Not ‘personally’ (e.g. public mean-girl dogpiles). I think politicians & orgs & shitty policies (any arena) are fair game for a call-out, although I avoid attacking people on their own pages, because I respect boundaries. (If I don’t want strangers dogpiling me, I should behave likewise.) Generally speaking, I think rants/venting about woke-blokes in closed-groups are fair game too. If more people kept their venting limited to private conversations maybe they wouldn’t be such assholes out in the open.

Yes. Sometimes (in defense of whoever’s being attacked). Sometimes I’ll just unfriend or block people doing the attacking, because you never know if you’ll be next.

Yes. Misogyny, doxxing, threats against or harassment of women, etc. Usually nothing happens. Occasionally fecebook surprises us and they’ll remove the offending post(s), although rarely the perps.

No. Usually the opposite. I’m more likely to self-censor on social media than IRL.

Not really anymore. I’m more careful how I say things on SM though, because people have a knack for twisting things on SM that they can’t get away with IRL.

I don’t think so. I don’t see the point. If I don’t want to share something specific because I value my privacy I’ll say so. I see people lie on SM all the time and it usually comes back to bite them in the ass.

No (although sometimes I will ‘like’ a comment because I appreciate the comment/feedback, not necessarily what’s being said); and yes, with posts that would no doubt be considered inflammatory or read out of context by outsiders/lurkers. I pick my battles.

Yes. Discussing issues, creating/advertising events, petitions, etc.

Good question. Might have to go back to keeping an actual address book again, so we can at least communicate via email. Before SM group-listservs were effective communication tools & pretty easy to manage – might be time to start using them again.

Not sure, honestly. If all my friends on FB left I’d probably follow them to another platform, listserv, forum, etc. (but then that would just be the ‘new social media’), but I’d still stay on FB for remote family connections.

Have you ever changed someone else’s mind on social media? How?

I think a person has to be genuinely openminded or aware they don’t know all the facts in order for someone else to “change their mind”, but yes, this just happened two weeks ago, when I passed along some information the person never thought of and didn’t know. Technically she changed her own mind, I just handed her the info. I’m still happy with that result though.

Angry angry? No. Mildly irritated? Yes. Frustrated? Sure. Mainly because of miscommunication. If something gets genuinely hateful or nasty I’ll block ’em.

Do you have online friendships or relationships with people you’ve never met in real life?

Has a conflict on social media affected you offline, in “real life”? How?

Well I had someone threaten to doxx me, and some routine rape/death threats such as many females online get, and while I didn’t take them seriously yeah, it made me edgy.

Yes. Both irl friendships and social media friendships.

No, but not for lack of people trying. I’m shameless, I guess.

No. I won’t even join in routine call outs. If someone in my online community is behaving in a troubling way and I have interacted with them directly before, I’ve taken it into private messages, but public shaming is so highschool level I can’t with that.

A few times. Once I said nothing, because it was a major twitter blowup that had nothing to do with me or anyone I knew and a million people had already piled on, so what would be the point. Once I didn’t say anything because the person in question was a serial online abuser of women and I didn’t care about him. Once I did say something, because the person being shamed was a teenager and some of the people doing the shaming were grown adults who either didn’t know it was a kid they were hounding, or knew and thought it was okay. Also the teen in question was offensive but mainly she was just young and ignorant, and shaming teaches nothing.

Yes, for violent rape threats, and a group of us mass reported an account that was spamming people with Holocaust photos. The photo spammer was shut down. Rape threats get zero attention, in my experience.

LOL yes for being an Evil Radfem Terf.

Do you say things on social media you’re afraid to say in real life?

I have a policy of not saying anything online that I wouldn’t say in real life, and I’m confident I’ve stuck to it.

Do you say things in real life you’re afraid to say on social media?

No, but there’s things I won’t say on social media because its no one else’s business, or because I don’t feel the need to put all my opinions online.

Yes, mostly to protect my identity.

Do you “like” things you don’t actually like, and refrain from “liking” things you do like? Why?

I heart things on twitter to stash the information for later, and I refrain on several websites because my like files have a billion posts in them and no one got time for that.

I don’t consider it real activism, it’s mainly just touching base with other likeminded women and spreading information around. I’m not sure social media ever counts as true activism, it’s so inactive, really. It gives you an illusion you’re doing something.

Letters. Postcards. Email. I love email.

No. I’ve watched a few lemming runs on social media and have refrained thus far. I think I’m old enough that I can jump off cliffs all by my lonesome.

(ps I have never seen your blog before, but I am a fan from when I first discovered Sita! Stay awesome!)

Thanks for these questions! crediting you (of course!), I’ll ask my masters students taking ‘AI Ethics in Business’ to look at your question, to better help them understand their use and dependance on social media.

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5 Questions Students Should Ask About Media

Topics:   Digital Citizenship News & Media Literacy Social & Emotional Learning

Help kids think critically about the media they consume and create.

Do your students love to take and edit photos to post on Instagram? Are they obsessed with watching (or maybe even becoming!) YouTube or TikTok celebs? Do you want to help your students learn how to spot a stereotype on a TV show? Or how to identify bias in a news article? If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider integrating media literacy education into your lessons.

Digital and media literacy expand traditional literacy to include new forms of reading, writing, and communicating. The National Association for Media Literacy Education defines media literacy as "the ability to ACCESS, ANALYZE, EVALUATE, CREATE, and ACT using all forms of communication" and says it "empowers people to be critical thinkers and makers, effective communicators, and active citizens ." Though some believe media literacy and digital literacy are separate but complementary, they’re arguably one and the same. They both focus on skills that help students be critical media consumers and creators. And both are rooted in inquiry-based learning—asking questions about what we see, read, hear, and create.

Think of it this way: Students learn print literacy—how to read and write. But they should also learn multimedia literacy—how to "read and write" media messages in different forms, whether it's a photo, video, website, app, videogame, or anything else. The most powerful way for students to put these skills into practice is through both critiquing media they consume and analyzing media they create .

So, how should students learn to critique and analyze media? Most leaders in the digital and media literacy community use some version of five key questions. The questions below were developed by the Center for Media Literacy. 

1. Who created this message?

Help your students "pull back the curtain" and recognize that all media have an author and an agenda. All of the media we encounter and consume was constructed by someone with a particular vision, background, and agenda. 

• Help students understand how they should question both the messages they see, as well the platforms on which messages are shared.

2. Which techniques are used to attract my attention?

Whether it’s a billboard or a book, a TV show or movie, a mobile app or an online ad, different forms of media have unique ways to get our attention and keep us engaged. Are they using an emotional plea? Humor? A celebrity? Of course, digital media are changing all the time, and constant of updates and rapid innovations are the name of the game. 

• Help students recognize how new and innovative techniques capture our attention—sometimes without us even realizing.

3. How might different people interpret this message?

This question helps students consider how all of us bring our own individual backgrounds, values, and beliefs to how we interpret media messages. For any piece of media, there are often as many interpretations as there are viewers. Any time kids are interpreting a media message it’s important for them to consider how someone from a different background might interpret the same message in a very different way. 

• Model for your students how to ask questions like: What about your background might influence your interpretation? Or, Who might be the target audience for this message?

4. Which lifestyles, values, and points of view are represented—or missing?

Just as we all bring our own backgrounds and values to how we interpret what we see, media messages themselves are embedded with values and points of view. Help students question and consider how certain perspectives or voices might be missing from a particular message. If voices or perspectives are missing, how does that affect the message being sent? 

• Have students consider the impact of certain voices being left out, and ask them: What points of view would you like to see included, and why? You could even have a discussion here about how popular media can sometimes reinforce certain stereotypes, values, and points of view.

5. Why is this message being sent?

With this question, have students explore the purpose of the message. Is it to inform, entertain, or persuade, or could it be some combination of these? Also have students explore possible motives behind why certain messages have been sent. Was it to gain power, profit, or influence? For older students, examining the economic structures behind various media industries will come into play.

• Have students determine the purpose of the message and motives for creating it.

As teachers, we can think about how to weave these five questions into our instruction, helping our students to think critically about media. A few scenarios could include lessons where students consuming news and current events, or any time we ask students to create multimedia projects. You could even use these questions to critique the textbooks and films you already use. Eventually, as we model this type of critical thinking for students, asking these questions themselves will become second nature to them.

Student Worksheet: 5 Questions Students Should Ask About Media

Help your students think critically about how media are made and consumed.

For more information on bringing media literacy into your classroom visit these sites:

• Center for Media Literacy
• Media Education Lab
• Media Smarts

Also, be sure to check out digital citizenship lessons that cover a variety of media literacy topics .

Kelly Mendoza oversaw education content and programs for Common Sense Education, including the Digital Citizenship Curriculum, Learning ratings and reviews, articles and newsletter. Her goal was to provide schools programs that support students to thrive as learners, leaders, and citizens in the digital age. She also has developed education resources and curricula for Lucas Learning, the Media Education Lab, and PBS' Frontline films Growing Up Online and Digital Nation. Kelly has a Ph.D. in media and communication from Temple University. Her daughter loves Harry Potter … and rock climbing.

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Does social media affect critical thinking skills?

The emergence of social media and the reliance on various platforms is increasingly impacting the way in which we interact with each other and the world as a whole. We know that our virtual network is oftentimes as important to us as our physical network and that the information we digest online is significantly influential, but is social media affecting our critical thinking skills? The answer is, yes. Although, for better or worse is the question.

How is social media affecting critical thinking skills?

In a nutshell, critical thinking skills refer to our ability to analyze, interpret, infer, and problem-solve. These skills typically present themselves in the order of identifying a problem, gathering the data relevant to that problem, analyzing the information we gathered, and making a decision or coming to a solution.

In addition to the negative impacts of multi-tasking, social media tends to prey on emotion rather than reason. You can thank the algorithms behind your preferred platform for this, as these algorithms deliberately put information in front of you that is targeted to your interest and leanings in any easily digestible format. By seeing information that you already tend to agree with or favor more often than you see information that counters your beliefs, you are being denied the ability to gather all information, analyze appropriately, and come to a more well-informed conclusion.

Does social media affect the critical thinking skills of one group more than another?

The most susceptible to the cognitive and behavioral downfalls of social media use are youth and young adults because they are at an age when their emotional intelligence and critical thinking skills are still immature.

The young are particularly reliant on the positive feedback received through social media, which makes them less likely to be critical of information presented, as they do not want to appear like they are rocking the boat or going against their friends.

Although the younger population is more susceptible to conforming to popular opinions, a 2019 Science Advances study showed that older people, those 65 years old and older, are four times more likely to spread misinformation on social media. Thus, proving that a failure to employ critical thinking skills when using social media is not isolated to the younger population. It is a problem shared by many.

Is there an upside to social media when it comes to critical thinking skills?

In order to do this, one needs to be resistant to accepting the first piece of information as the truth before having a chance to validate that information.

What can I do to strengthen my critical thinking skills on social media?

In a time when information is king and social media is a big player in spreading that information, it is essential to remain vigilant to the information we are taking in. Questioning what is presented as fact and utilizing the amazing tool that is the web to develop well-informed opinions is the key to honing your critical thinking skills on social media.

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9 common characteristics of strong critical thinkers, critical thinking: where it went and how to bring it back, lateral thinking in the real world: everyday examples of lateral thinking., critical thinking in personal development: enhancing decision-making skills, download this free ebook.

85 Critical Thinking Questions to Carefully Examine Any Information

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The ability to think critically will often determine your success in life.

Let’s face it. Every day, we are bombarded by news, social media updates, and an avalanche of information. If you take all of this at face value, it’s easy to be deceived, misled or ripped off.

That’s why it’s important to  develop a mindset that focuses on critical thinking . This is a skill that needs to be developed in the classroom. But it’s also a valuable life skill.

With that in mind, the following post will share 85 critical thinking questions you can use to increase your awareness about different problems by carefully examining available information. 

Let’s get started…

Table of Contents

What Are Critical Thinking Questions?

Critical thinking questions are inquiries that help you think rationally and clearly by understanding the link between different facts or ideas. These questions create a seemingly endless learning process that lets you critique, evaluate, and develop a depth of knowledge about a given subject. Moreover, you get to reinforce your viewpoints or see things in a new way.

We make decisions every day, whether at work or home. Adopting logical, rational, and practical approaches in addressing various issues requiring critical thinking is essential in decision-making. Therefore, before arriving at a decision, always ask yourself relevant questions and carefully analyze the matter’s pros and cons.

Critical Thinking Questions When in an Argument

When you make an argument using a critical thinking approach, you focus on justified claims that are valid and based on evidence. It helps one establish a strong argument.

• Do I disagree with the other person? Might the person I'm arguing with be misinformed on what they are saying?
• Would I be comfortable saying what I am telling him/her if I was in front of a group of people? 
• What would happen if I lose this argument? Is engaging in this argument worth my time and energy? How will I feel if I lose?
• Is there room for ambiguity or misinterpretation? Are we arguing because I didn't make my point explicit? Should I take my time to understand his school of thought?
• Do I need some rest before saying something? Am I arguing because of other reasons other than the issues at hand? Do I need to take some time and cool down?

• Is it more important that I’m right? Am I trying to ask to prove an unnecessary point?
• Is this argument inductive, deductive, or abductive? Is it a weak or strong argument that I need to engage in? Is it compelling or sound? 
• Is my opponent sincere? Given that they are wrong, are they willing to admit that they are wrong? Can they depend on available evidence, wherever it leads?
• Are my opponents only trying to shift their burden to me? What is the best way to prove them wrong without making them feel bad?
• Are the people I'm arguing with only interested in winning, or are they trying to pass some information across and help me discover the truth?

Critical Thinking Questions When Reading a Book 

When you read a book, you probably ask yourself many “why” questions. Why is this a problem? Why did the character say that? Why is this important? The most challenging part of reading a book is assessing the information you are reading. These questions can help.

• If I learn only two things from this book, what will they be? How will they help me? How will I apply them in my daily life?
• What message are the authors trying to pass across? Are they making suggestions or providing evidence for their arguments?
• Given that almost every book is about solving problems, what is the most prevalent issue that the author is trying to solve?
• What is the author’s writing style? What strategy or master plan does the author employ to convey his/her main ideas throughout the book?
• Do I have background information about the book’s topic? If so, how is what the author is saying different from what I already know?
• What didn’t I understand from the book? Should I re-read the book to understand everything the writer is trying to convey?
• Which sections of the book do I love the most, and why? Generally, do I like this book? Should I look for more books that are written by the same author?
• If I had a chance to meet this book’s author, what questions would I ask him/her? What would I tell the writer about the book? Is it a great book worth recommending to your friends and family members?
• Who are the main characters of the book? If there is only one main character, what overarching goal does the character accomplish?
• In what ways did the protagonist change from the start of the book to the end? What caused the changes? Was the protagonist reckless in some ways? Which ways?

Critical Thinking Questions to Spot a Scam

Asking questions when you feel that a fraud or a scam is being presented to you is a good way to stretch your critical thinking muscles. Are you being emailed or messaged by a stranger? Or maybe there are other red flags you are unsure about. If so, ask these questions.

• Does it seem to be too good to be true? Is this stranger pushy or trying to lure me into making a poor decision?
• When trying out online dating: Is my new “friend” professing strong feelings towards me although we’ve only interacted for a few hours?
• Why is a stranger calling me to ask about my Social Security Number (SSN), personal contact information, or bank details while claiming they are from the bank or a phone company? 
• When buying products online, why does the seller ask me to pay for goods using an insecure payment option like Bitcoin or money order?
• Does the email I have received have any spelling or grammatical errors? Is the language used overly formal or informal?
• If I do a quick search about the exact words of the email I received, does Google indicate it's a fraud or scam?
• Why should a stranger manipulate me using obvious questions like “Would you want to be rich or poor?” While they already know the answer?
• Is the email asking me to download an attachment? Or click a link to some insecure website? 
• Is the person trying to make me feel selfish or guilty for not sending them money, whether for a donation or buying a product? 
• Is the stranger portraying a sense of urgency and using pressure tactics? Are they telling me that their family member needs urgent medical attention?

Critical Thinking Questions About Your Life

It can also help to ask yourself a few critical thinking questions about your life. This way, you can gather basic information and uncover solutions to problems you might not have otherwise thought of.

• Where do I wish to be in a few years, probably two, three, or five years? What short-term and long-term goals should I set?
• What have I achieved so far from the time I set my previous goals? What should I be grateful for?
• Do I have any values that guide me in life? If so, what are these values? Am I always true to these values?
• Am I always worried about what people around me think? Can I act independently without the need to meet social expectations?
• What should people say about me at my funeral? Would they talk about how good I made them feel or how rich and flashy I was?
• If I wasn't afraid of anyone or anything, what would I have done? What if I didn't have any fear in me?
• If today was my last day, what extraordinary thing would I do? Can I do it right now?
• What should I do with the things that matter the most to me? 
• What things will make the greatest difference in my future life if I take action now?
• How should I react when I feel unwanted by the people I love the most? Should I tell them?

Critical Thinking Questions for a Debate or Discussion

When you are in the middle of a debate or discussion, you need to know that what you are saying is fact, have evidence to support your claim, and position yourself as an expert in what you are saying. Here are some critical thinking questions to ask when you are in a debate or discussion.

• Is there fairness in this discussion? Is the moderator supporting one side? Do they want to make one side look stupid or wrong? 
• What is the aim of this discussion? Is there a major problem that needs to be solved? If so, how can I help solve it?
• Who are the people affected by this discussion? If they were here, what would they say?
• Do my views on this discussion matter? If I raise my point, will I be redundant?
• What am I supposed to learn from this debate, and how can I use what I have learned in my daily life?
• Does the audience seem to be biased towards one side? Are they booing one side? What can I do even if it's our opponents being booed?
• Who are the discussion panel members? What views have they held about this kind of discussion or any other related discussions in the past?
• How can I make my point without being ambiguous? Before I speak, should I take down some notes to avoid any confusion during my speech?
• Am I ready to apologize if I make a mistake during the discussion? If so, what are the limits?
• What information does my team, or I need before this discussion? 

Critical Thinking Questions About Lying

Admitting when you are wrong, choosing not to cheat, and sharing constructive feedback are all ways to show your honesty. Here are some critical thinking skills to ask regarding lying.

• Will the lie hurt those I am telling, or will it help them? What if being honest might cause my friend unnecessary pain?
• Should I be the one telling this person a lie, or I let someone else do it? 
• Will I be the one hurt if I tell this lie? Will my friend feel I am a betrayer? Will it affect our friendship?
• Do they answer my questions in detail, or are they always trying to ignore and dodge the main problem?
• What if I ask these people the same question using different terms and wording? Will they give me the same response?
• Did the tone of my friend suddenly change after I asked him/her this question? Do they sound louder, faster, or slower compared to how they usually speak?
• Does this person have something to gain by lying to me? What is their motive?
• Does this person take a sudden pause or hesitate more than usual when responding to my question?
• When I look at these people's faces, do their facial expressions match what they say?
• Should I believe this person or not? What are my intuitions? Does it look like they are telling the truth?
• Do they blink like other days when I ask them questions? Are they always trying to avoid direct eye contact?
• Why do they seem uncomfortable when it’s just a normal conversation?  

Critical Thinking Questions When Presented With a Claim

Critical thinking is much more than just evaluating whether a claim is true or not. It also means a critical thinker reflects on what follows from true claims.

• What does this claim mean, and what are its implications? What if it's a false claim?
• Which of my morals, values, or beliefs do I have to give up to accept this claim?
• Do professionals in this field agree or disagree with the claim that has been made?
• Do they have evidence to back their claim? Which is the most robust evidence to support the claim?
• What argument can I come up with to refute this claim? Or what is the best view that can support this claim?
• Who is the primary source of the claim being made? Is the basis of the claim reliable?
• Is it a claim, or it's just an opinion?
• Is the claim likely to be 100% false, true, or partially true?
• Am I allowed to refute the claim and table my evidence, or is it one-sided?

Critical Thinking Interview Questions

Critical thinking skills are valuable in any industry or field and for almost all roles. During a job interview, you will be asked questions so the potential employer can assess your skills and see how you use logic. Your critical thinking ability is just one vital part that can play into your professional development.

• Is there a time you had to convince someone to use an alternate approach to solve a problem?
• Have you ever had to make a difficult decision quickly?
• How would you handle a situation where your supervisor handled something wrong or made a mistake?
• What is one of the most difficult decisions you have ever had to make at work?
• How would you solve a disagreement between coworkers when approaching a project?
• Can you describe a time when you anticipated a problem ahead of time and took the appropriate steps to stop the problem from becoming an issue?
• If you discover a cheaper way to do something or a better solution to a problem and try to explain it to your supervisor, but they don’t understand, what do you do?

Critical Thinking Questions for Kids

We can’t leave the kids out either. Critical thinking questions for kids get them thinking and talking. It also allows a parent to get to know their child better.

• How many grains of sand do you think are on the beach?
• What would happen if it stopped raining?
• Do you think there is life on other planets?
• Should children be able to set their own bedtimes?
• How would you describe what a tree looks like without saying green or leaves?
• Can you name five different emotions?
• Can you talk for five minutes without uttering “um?”

What Are the Basic Principles of Critical Thinking?

Your critical thinking skills involve gathering complete information, understanding and defining terms, questioning the methods by which we get facts, questioning the conclusions, and looking for hidden assumptions and biases.

Additionally, we can’t expect to find all of the answers, and we need to take the time to examine the big picture of it all.

Here are the basic principles:

• Disposition: Someone with critical thinking skills is often skeptical, open-minded, and practices fair-mindedness. They can look at different viewpoints and change positions if the evidence and reason lead them to do so.
• Criteria: In order to think critically, one must also apply criteria. Certain conditions must be met before someone believes in something. The information needs to be from credible sources.
• Argument: An argument is simply a statement or proposition that is shown with supporting evidence. When you use your critical thinking skills, you identify, evaluate, and construct your argument.
• Reasoning: With critical thinking comes reasoning. You must examine logical relationships among the statements being made.
• Point of View: Critical thinkers can see things from different perspectives and different points of view.

What Are Good Analysis Questions?

Analysis is a part of critical thinking that allows you to examine something carefully. Someone with analytical skills can examine the information presented, understand what that information means, and then properly explain that information to others. Analysis in critical thinking provides more clarity on the information you process.

When analyzing, you may ask yourself, “how do I know this,” how would I solve this problem,” and “why does it matter?”

Why Is Critical Thinking an Important Skill?

Critical thinking skills allow you to express thoughts, ideas, and beliefs in a better way. It also leads to improved communication while allowing others to understand you better. Critical thinking fosters creativity and encourages out-of-the-box thinking. This is a skill that can be applied to many different areas of your life.

For example, knowing the answers to critical thinking questions for a job interview will better prepare you for the interview. Many employers, during questioning, are likely to ask you critical thinking questions to assess if you have the ability to evaluate information effectively so you can make more informed decisions.

Final Thoughts on Critical Thinking Questions

Although it's common to get torn between making two or more choices, nobody wants to make the wrong decision. The only thing you can do to avoid this is use critical thinking questions to examine your situation. The answers to these questions will help you make informed decisions and help you comprehend crucial matters in your life. 

Want to learn more about critical thinking and decision-making using a real-life example? Here is  how Jeff Bezos uses critical thinking  to make some of the most challenging life decisions.

Finally, if you want to ask better questions, then watch this short, 20-minute course to learn how to have a great conversation with virtually anyone .

Help Students Use Social Media For Critical Thinking

It would make sense that as tech becomes more integrated, accessible, and smarter, those connections will deepen as our priorities change.

10 Strategies To Help Students Use Social Media For Critical Thinking

by Terry Heick

Social media is here to stay.

No matter how much we lament a loss of privacy, too much screen time, superficial identity, or countless other worries, media has been around since language was invented, and we have always sought to make that media as social as locally available technology would allow.

From chisels and tablets to the printing press to radio and television to twitter and Facebook, as long as we continue to have thoughts and ideas, we will continue to seek to publish and socialize them with others.

Technology & ‘Social Emotion’

It would make sense that as technology becomes more integrated, more accessible to all socioeconomic classes, and “smarter” itself, those connections will only deepen as we our priorities–and the tools we use to express them–change.

Existing learning theory says that it’s one or the other–we either connect, relate to, and belong or we devolve into selfishness, exploitation, and greed. And this isn’t a simple moral crossroads, but a matter of neurology.

Scientific American published an article discussing why being ‘connected’ matters. In the article, Matthew Lieberman discusses the idea of ‘social pain.’

‘Languages around the world use pain language to express social pain…As it turns out it is more than a metaphor – social pain is real pain.

The things that cause us to feel pain are things that are evolutionarily recognized as threats to our survival and the existence of social pain is a sign that evolution has treated social connection like a necessity, not a luxury. It also alters our motivational landscape. We tend to assume that people’s behavior is narrowly self-interested, focused on getting more material benefits for themselves and avoiding physical threats and the exertion of effort.

But because of how social pain and pleasure are wired into our operating system, these are motivational ends in and of themselves. We don’t focus on being connected solely in order to extract money and other resources from people – being connected needs no ulterior motive.’

See also ‘ Stop Worrying About Screen Time’

Connecting Students

What are the implications for teachers?

For one, digital connectivity, which is already at the forefront of so much of teaching and learning has become not ‘popular’ but, for many, the standard.

Use of social media platforms like twitter, facebook, and instagram can walk a fine line, teetering back and forth between connectivity and narcissism.

More immediately for educators, it illuminates our need to create empathetic learning experiences that connect learners for deeply human purposes. The greater the dysfunction, the greater the need to belong.

So then, let’s take a look at 10 ways we can help children–students, in this case–use social media critically. Critical thinking begins with the self and extends out. Rather than fight things like ‘screen time,’ maybe we can help them use that time in more constructive ways grounded in critical thinking.

1. Think purpose, not platform.

Connect students through function and purpose, not technology and gadgets

2. Use social media to establish context.

Use social media to help students establish a context for themselves

3. Model intellectual tolerance.

Model for students how to relate to others who are different–that think, look, and act different than what they’re accustomed to, and how to respond to ideas different than their own.

And do so not simply from an ethical ‘be kind’ perspective, but from an intellectual one as well. A big part of intelligence is being able to learn from anything, and a big part of that is the ability to evaluate ideas without personal bias, as well as the ability to sit with an idea and analyze it without accepting or rejecting it.

4. Illuminate interdependence. 

Help students clarify for themselves who and what they’re connected to–the obvious and less obvious. Encourage students to identify multiple “citizenships” they belong to, both locally and digitally and their diverse participation within each.

See also The 20 Most Useful #hashtags In Education

5. Extend conceptual comfort zones.

Use place-based education and project-based learning to help students make new connections to people, places, and ideas outside of the curriculum map

6. Clarify categories of knowledge.

Help students see knowledge in categories–academic vs recreational; creative vs industrial, fluid vs fixed, etc–and how social media emphasize, supports, or otherwise makes these available. If they can at least begin to see these categories, they can be more aware of what they’re ‘ingesting.’

7. Analyze and compare citizenship and digital citizenship.

Help students see the effects of their behavior on others, and of others’ behavior on them. Further, offer digital citizenship strategies like “THINK!” so they have a kind of framework for doing so on their own.

8. Amplify cognition.

Have a new idea? Share it with others who are interested in those kinds of ideas.

Document the ‘process’ of that idea–where it came from, how it changed, what influenced it, what you can do with it, and so on. Amplify that understand using the connected and creative abilities of social media.

9. Analyze how the form affects the message.

Perspective is a big part of social media, as is identity and idea form (video versus tweet versus images, etc.) If students can see how the form of the message affects the message itself, they can think ‘around’ and through the platform and see ideas and their roots themselves.

Have students concept map their own interdependence in a given context (home, family, hobby, neighborhood, classroom, content area, etc.)

10. Seek authenticity.

Assist students in identifying authentic roles in a community they care about.

To be ‘authentic,’ the roles should naturally exist and allow a visible void when left unfilled, providing the student with a meaningful role that matters.

Founder & Director of TeachThought

Critical Thinking 2021: Social Media’s Impact on Mental Health

In our annual survey on the state of critical thinking, the Reboot Foundation asked people about their use of and views on social media, particularly as it related to their mental health. In the survey, our research team also asked questions about reasoning, media literacy, and critical thinking. Our goal was to take the temperature of popular opinion about social media and to gauge what, if anything, people think should be done to change their relationship with it.

Key Findings: How Social Media Impacts Mental Health

• As social media use rises due to the pandemic, people are increasingly concerned about its impact on mental health. Over 60 percent of respondents said their social media use had gone up since the onset of COVID-19 lockdowns, while around half of respondents said they spend more than two hours a day on social media.
• Despite the general acknowledgment that social media is contributing to symptoms of poor mental health, a significant percentage of people aren’t willing to stop scrolling or to put down their screens.
• When it comes to the impact of social media on political discourse, the public is ambivalent. While many found social media damaging to their political reasoning, others thought they benefited from being exposed to new ideas online.
• Support for critical thinking skills remains nearly universal, with equally strong support for the teaching of critical thinking at all levels of education.

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Social Media

MIT Sloan study finds thinking style impacts how people use social media

MIT Sloan Office of Communications

Feb 11, 2021

Critical thinkers share higher quality content and information than intuitive thinkers

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb. 11, 2021 – Social media has become a significant channel for social interactions, political communications, and marketing. However, little is known about the effect of cognitive style on how people engage with social media. A new study by MIT Sloan Research Affiliate Mohsen Mosleh , MIT Sloan School of Management Prof. David Rand , and their collaborators shows that people who engage in more analytical thinking are more discerning in their social media use, sharing news content from more reliable sources and tweeting about more substantial topics like politics.

“It’s important to understand how people interact on social media and what influences their decisions to share content and follow different accounts. Prior studies have explored the relationship between social media use and personality and demographic measures, but this is the first study to show the connection with cognitive style,” says Rand.

Mosleh, a professor at the University of Exeter Business School, explains, “In the field of cognitive science, some argue that critical thinking doesn’t have much to do with our daily life, but this study shows that it matters – critical thinkers are better able to use social media in meaningful ways, which has become an important part of modern life.”

In their study, the researchers measure Twitter-users cognitive style using the Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT), which is a set of questions with intuitively compelling but incorrect answers. For example, participants might be asked” If you are running a race and you pass the person in second place, what place are you in? The answer that intuitively comes to mind for many people is “first place,” however “second place” is the correct answer.

Mosleh points out that there is disagreement in the field of cognitive science about the relative roles of intuition and reflection in people’s everyday lives. Some say humans’ capacity to reflect is underused, and that critical thinking is mostly used to justify our intuitive judgments. Others maintain that critical thinking does have a meaningful impact on beliefs and behaviors and that it increases accuracy.

Their Twitter study confirmed that critical thinking has a significant impact on how users interact on social media. People in the sample who engaged in more cognitive reflection were more discerning in their social media use. They followed more selectively, shared higher quality content from more reliable sources, and tweeted about weightier subjects, particularly politics.

The researchers also found evidence of cognitive “echo chambers,” says Rand. “More intuitive users tended to follow similar types of accounts, which were notably avoided by more analytical users. They also tended to share content related to scams and sales promotions.”

He notes, “This study sheds light on how misinformation and scams are spread on social media, suggesting that lack of thinking is an important contributor to undesirable behavior. It also highlights the type of users at risk of falling for scams.”

As for the importance of cognitive style for everyday behaviors, Rand call this an “important new piece of evidence for the consequences of analytic thinking.”

Rand and Mosleh are coauthors of “Cognitive reflection correlates with behavior on Twitter,” along with MIT Research Associate Antonio Arechar and University of Regina Assistant Professor Gordon Pennycook,which was published in Nature Communications.

About the MIT Sloan School of Management

The MIT Sloan School of Management is where smart, independent leaders come together to solve problems, create new organizations, and improve the world. Learn more at mitsloan.mit.edu .

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30+ Most Common Social Media Questions and Their Answers

Speaking of common social media questions, can you guess what percentage of the world’s population actively uses social media? A whopping 62.3%.

It’s no wonder that social media has become an essential tool for businesses and individuals alike. With billions of people using social media platforms worldwide, it has become a critical channel for communication, marketing, and engagement.

However, with the constant evolution of social media, it can be challenging to keep up with the latest trends, best practices, and strategies.

This blog post aims to address some of the most common social media questions that business owners may have. Let’s uncover how they help you sail through the complex world of social media with confidence.

Common Social Media Questions and Answers

Whether you’re looking to improve your social media strategy, grow your audience, or simply stay up-to-date, this section is for you.

Take a look at these general knowledge questions about social media for a better understanding of how the digital landscape works.

Besides, some of these are fit to serve as social media panel questions, and the answers will leave you with new learnings:

How can I stay consistent on social media?

Staying consistent on social media requires strategic planning and a focus on quality. Moreover, planning your content calendar and utilizing scheduling tools keeps your feed flowing. Furthermore, creating high-quality content that resonates with your target audience is essential.

Use AI to tailor your posts to their interests and experiment with different formats. Moreover, set achievable goals and track your progress to stay motivated. Remember, consistency is key, so make sure to take advantage of SocialBu to schedule your posts in just a click.

What is the best social media platform?

The best social media platform depends on your business goals and target audience. Besides, each platform has its strengths and demographics that can help you make an informed decision.

How can I increase my followers/likes on social media?

Strategies to increase followers and engagement include posting frequently, finding your niche, and engaging with other users. Additionally, you should focus on understanding algorithms and incorporating video content in your strategy.

Moreover, it is essential to create shareable content that resonates with your audience and write engaging captions to attract more followers to your profile.

What is the optimal time to post on social media?

The optimal time to post varies depending on your target audience. Regardless, while there is no solid evidence for specific times, understanding your audience’s behavior can help you determine the best posting times.

How do I get started with social media marketing?

To start with social media marketing , choose platforms where your target audience is active. Then, set up your profiles with engaging content, post regularly, analyze and optimize your content, and use hashtags to improve reach.

Which social media platforms should I use for my small business?

Focus on platforms where your target audience is active and where you can create engaging content. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram are popular choices for small businesses. Nevertheless, it is best to keep experimenting and exploring new ways to improve your social media presence.

What type of content should I share on social media?

Share a mix of content types, including updates, photos, videos, promotions, and behind-the-scenes insights to engage your audience and drive brand awareness. Additionally, you can try live streaming and host social media contents which are likely to help you generate leads.

How do you go viral on social media?

Going viral on social media requires creating engaging, shareable content that resonates with your audience. Hence, factors such as timing, relevance, and audience engagement play a significant role in content virality.

Which social media platforms should I use for my business?

The choice of social media platforms for your business depends on your target audience, content type, and marketing goals. Thus, it is essential to select platforms where your audience is most active and where you can create engaging content.

How often should I post on social media?

Posting frequency on social media depends on your audience’s behavior and platform algorithms. You need to analyze when your target audience is the most active on your chosen platform.

Besides, consistency is key, and it is essential to analyze post performance to determine the optimal posting schedule.

What is the most popular social network?

Although businesses prefer multiple platforms to build brand awareness, Facebook remains one of the most popular social networks. With more than 3 billion monthly active users worldwide, it makes a significant platform for businesses and individuals to connect and engage with their audience.

What are the biggest trends you see shaping the future of social media?

The biggest trends shaping the future of social media include the normalization of selling on social media platforms, the continued growth and brand interest in TikTok, and the focus on three to five social media platforms by most marketers.

These trends highlight the evolving landscape of social media and the importance of adapting to new platforms and strategies to stay relevant and engage with audiences effectively.

How can businesses leverage social media to build brand awareness and connect with their target audience?

Businesses can create visually appealing and engaging content, optimize their profiles for search and engagement, and use targeted strategies to reach their desired audience.

Furthermore, by consistently engaging with their followers, creating interactive posts , and fostering relationships, businesses can establish a strong online presence and connect with their target audience effectively.

What are some of the biggest challenges businesses face when it comes to social media marketing?

Some of the biggest challenges businesses face in social media marketing include staying up-to-date with the latest trends, measuring and analyzing their performance effectively, and using social media for competitive intelligence.

Additionally, managing multiple platforms, engaging with a diverse audience, and handling negative feedback or crises can pose challenges for businesses navigating the dynamic world of social media marketing.

Open-Ended Questions about Social Media

Now, let’s browse through some thought-provoking social media questions and answers; put your critical thinking caps on!

How has social media reshaped the way we build and maintain relationships? Are online connections as meaningful as real-life ones?

Social media has reshaped the way we build and maintain relationships by providing a platform for constant communication, sharing of experiences, and staying connected with a wider network of people.

While online connections can be meaningful and valuable, they may not always replace the depth and intimacy of real-life relationships.

Online connections can offer convenience, instant communication, and the ability to connect with people globally, but they may lack the emotional depth and physical presence that real-life interactions provide.

Imagine a world without social media. What positive or negative aspects of society might change?

In a world without social media, positive aspects might include reduced screen time, increased face-to-face interactions, improved mental health from less exposure to online negativity, and potentially stronger community bonds.

However, negative aspects could include limited access to information and global connectivity, reduced opportunities for activism and social change, and challenges for businesses and individuals who rely on social media for communication and networking.

Social media platforms often prioritize content that keeps users engaged. How does this impact the type of information we consume and the way we engage with news and current events?

The prioritization of engaging content on social media platforms can impact the type of information we consume by promoting sensationalized or emotionally charged content over factual and informative news.

This can lead to the spread of misinformation, echo chambers, and filter bubbles, where users are exposed to content that aligns with their existing beliefs and opinions.

Thus, users may be less likely to encounter diverse perspectives, critical analysis, and accurate news reporting.

This can influence the way we engage with news and current events by shaping our perceptions, beliefs, and understanding of the world around us.

How can social media be used for positive social change?

Social media can be a powerful tool for positive social change by promoting social causes, raising awareness about important issues. This helps in fostering community engagement and activism, and providing a platform for marginalized voices to be heard.

It is advisable to use social media post generators to promote campaigns, movements, and advocacy efforts, and drive meaningful change on a local, national, and global scale.

What advice would you give someone who is just starting out with social media marketing?

For someone just starting out with social media marketing, it’s important to set clear goals, understand your target audience, create a content strategy, and track and analyze your performance.

Furthermore, consistency, authenticity, and engagement are key to building a strong online presence and connecting with your audience effectively. Experiment, learn from your results, and adapt your strategy based on what resonates with your audience.

How can social media platforms better address issues like misinformation and online harassment?

Social media platforms can better address issues like misinformation and online harassment by implementing stricter content moderation policies. Additionally, promoting accurate information, and providing resources and support for users who experience harassment is also a good idea.

Transparency, accountability, and proactive measures to combat misinformation and harassment are essential to creating a safe and positive online environment for users.

10 Questions About Social Media Addiction for Students

Now that you have read this far, are you a student feeling like social media is taking over your life? Answer these common social media questions for students to see if you might be struggling with social media addiction.

• Do you ever feel like you need to check social media even when you’re in the middle of doing homework or studying?
• Do you get anxious or irritable when you can’t access your social media accounts?
• Do you find yourself comparing your life to what you see on social media, feeling like your life is less exciting or successful?
• Do you spend more time scrolling through social media than engaging in hobbies or spending time with friends and family in person?
• Do you ever lose track of time while browsing social media and end up staying up much later than planned?
• Have you ever lied about the amount of time you spend on social media to avoid criticism?
• Do you ever feel the need to constantly post updates or photos on social media to get likes or comments?
• Do you feel pressured to maintain a perfect online persona on social media?
• Do you ever find yourself reaching for your phone to check social media first thing in the morning or right before bed?
• Do you feel a sense of  satisfaction after spending time on social media, even if it wasn’t necessarily a productive use of your time?

In conclusion, social media is an essential tool for businesses to connect, communicate, and build relationships. Moreover, from understanding the best time to post to learning how to increase engagement, there are many common social media questions that marketers and businesses may have.

Nevertheless, by understanding the answers to common social media questions, businesses can improve their social media strategy. This enables them to reach a wider audience and build stronger relationships with their customers. Moreover, if you are a business owner, SocialBu can help you efficiently grow your social media presence.

What are 3 questions we should ask ourselves before posting on social media?

Before posting on social media, it’s essential to consider the following questions:

Who is my audience, and will they find this post valuable or engaging?

Does this post align with my brand’s voice and messaging?

Is the content of the post appropriate and respectful to all parties involved?

What are good questions to ask about social media privacy?

To ensure your privacy on social media, consider asking these questions:

What personal information am I sharing on this platform, and who can access it?

Are my privacy settings configured correctly to protect my information?

How can I prevent third-party apps from accessing my data without my consent?

What are the possible questions in social media?

Some possible social media marketing quiz question and answers include:

How can I increase engagement on my posts?

What are the best practices for handling negative feedback on social media?

How much time should I dedicate to social media each day?

What are the most effective ways to grow my social media following?

What are some social questions to ask?

These are some social questions you may ask:

How can I build a stronger online community around my brand?

What are the latest social media trends, and how can I incorporate them into my strategy?

How can I measure the success of my social media campaigns?

What are the best tools and resources for managing and analyzing social media performance?

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100+ Critical Thinking Questions for Students To Ask About Anything

Critical thinkers question everything.

In an age of “fake news” claims and constant argument about pretty much any issue, critical thinking skills are key. Teach your students that it’s vital to ask questions about everything, but that it’s also important to ask the right sorts of questions. Students can use these critical thinking questions with fiction or nonfiction texts. They’re also useful when discussing important issues or trying to understand others’ motivations in general.

“Who” Critical Thinking Questions

Questions like these help students ponder who’s involved in a story and how the actions affect them. They’ll also consider who’s telling the tale and how reliable that narrator might be.

• Is the protagonist?
• Is the antagonist?
• Caused harm?
• Is harmed as a result?
• Was the most important character?

• Is responsible?
• Is most directly affected?
• Should have won?
• Will benefit?
• Would be affected by this?

• Makes the decisions?

“What” Critical Thinking Questions

Ask questions that explore issues more deeply, including those that might not be directly answered in the text.

• Background information do I know or need to know?
• Is the main message?
• Are the defining characteristics?

• Questions or concerns do I have?
• Don’t I understand?
• Evidence supports the author’s conclusion?
• Would it be like if … ?
• Could happen if … ?
• Other outcomes might have happened?
• Questions would you have asked?
• Would you ask the author about … ?
• Was the point of … ?
• Should have happened instead?
• Is that character’s motive?
• Else could have changed the whole story?

• Can you conclude?
• Would your position have been in that situation?
• Would happen if … ?
• Makes your position stronger?
• Was the turning point?
• Is the point of the question?
• Did it mean when … ?
• Is the other side of this argument?
• Was the purpose of … ?
• Does ______ mean?
• Is the problem you are trying to solve?
• Does the evidence say?
• Assumptions are you making?
• Is a better alternative?
• Are the strengths of the argument?

• Are the weaknesses of the argument?
• Is the difference between _______ and _______?

“Where” Critical Thinking Questions

Think about where the story is set and how it affects the actions. Plus, consider where and how you can learn more.

• Would this issue be a major problem?
• Are areas for improvement?
• Did the story change?
• Would you most often find this problem?

• Are there similar situations?
• Would you go to get answers to this problem?
• Can this be improved?
• Can you get more information?
• Will this idea take us?

“When” Critical Thinking Questions

Think about timing and the effect it has on the characters or people involved.

• Is this acceptable?
• Is this unacceptable?

• Does this become a problem?
• Is the best time to take action?
• Will we be able to tell if it worked?
• Is it time to reassess?
• Should we ask for help?
• Is the best time to start?
• Is it time to stop?
• Would this benefit society?

• Has this happened before?

“Why” Critical Thinking Questions

Asking “why” might be one of the most important parts of critical thinking. Exploring and understanding motivation helps develop empathy and make sense of difficult situations.

• Is _________ happening?
• Have we allowed this to happen?
• Should people care about this issue?

• Is this a problem?
• Did the character say … ?
• Did the character do … ?
• Is this relevant?
• Did the author write this?
• Did the author decide to … ?
• Is this important?

• Did that happen?
• Is it necessary?
• Do you think I (he, she, they) asked that question?
• Is that answer the best one?
• Do we need this today?

“How” Critical Thinking Questions

Use these questions to consider how things happen and whether change is possible.

• Do we know this is true?
• Does the language used affect the story?
• Would you solve … ?
• Is this different from other situations?

• Is this similar to … ?
• Would you use … ?
• Does the location affect the story?
• Could the story have ended differently?
• Does this work?
• Could this be harmful?
• Does this connect with what I already know?
• Else could this have been handled?
• Should they have responded?

• Would you feel about … ?
• Does this change the outcome?
• Did you make that decision?
• Does this benefit you/others?
• Does this hurt you/others?
• Could this problem be avoided?

More Critical Thinking Questions

Here are more questions to help probe further and deepen understanding.

• Can you give me an example?

• Do you agree with … ?
• Can you compare this with … ?
• Can you defend the actions of … ?
• Could this be interpreted differently?
• Is the narrator reliable?
• Does it seem too good to be true?

• Is ______ a fact or an opinion?

What are your favorite critical thinking questions? Come exchange ideas on the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, check out 10 tips for teaching kids to be awesome critical thinkers ., you might also like.

5 Critical Thinking Skills Every Kid Needs To Learn (And How To Teach Them)

Teach them to thoughtfully question the world around them. Continue Reading

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Impact of Social Media on Critical Thinking Skills?

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Impact of Social Media on Critical Thinking Skills

Explore the relationship between social media use and critical thinking skills among students with this thought-provoking survey.

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The Influence of Social Media on Student's Critical Thinking Abilities

In today's digital age, the survey on 'Impact of Social Media on Critical Thinking Skills' aims to delve into the relationship between students' social media usage and their critical thinking abilities. The survey contains a variety of thought-provoking questions designed to assess how platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and others impact students' ability to think critically. From examining the frequency of social media use to evaluating the influence of these platforms on decision-making skills, the survey covers a wide range of topics related to the digital landscape. Participants are asked to reflect on their behaviors, beliefs, and experiences with social media, providing valuable insights into the ways in which these platforms shape our thoughts and perspectives. By analyzing the data gathered from this survey, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of how social media impacts the critical thinking skills of students, ultimately informing strategies for promoting more effective and thoughtful engagement with online platforms. Moreover, the survey explores the potential benefits and drawbacks of social media on critical thinking skills, inviting participants to consider the role of these platforms in shaping opinions, influencing decision-making processes, and exposing individuals to diverse viewpoints. By offering a platform for self-reflection and introspection, the survey encourages participants to think critically about their own digital habits and behaviors, highlighting the need for balanced and mindful engagement with social media. Through the insights gleaned from this survey, educators, policymakers, and researchers can develop more informed approaches to integrating social media into educational settings, supporting the development of robust critical thinking skills in students of all ages. In conclusion, the survey on 'Impact of Social Media on Critical Thinking Skills' provides a comprehensive examination of the ways in which digital platforms influence our ability to think critically, highlighting the importance of thoughtful and intentional engagement with social media. By considering the survey results, we can gain valuable insights into the complex relationship between social media and critical thinking, empowering us to navigate the digital landscape with greater awareness and discernment. Take the survey today and contribute to a deeper understanding of the impact of social media on critical thinking skills!

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54 answers to the most common social media questions

Written by by Natalie O'Grady

Published on  April 22, 2024

Reading time  14 minutes

With the social media landscape constantly evolving, there’s always something new to learn for both novice and experienced marketers alike. Naturally, you might have many pressing social media marketing questions you’re embarrassed to ask because they seem like common knowledge. But no social media question is too simple because it can be challenging to catch up, especially in 2024, when changing social media regulations bring something different every day.

In this post, we answer some of the most common and important social media questions. Besides general FAQs, we’ll also tackle platform-specific questions. Let’s get started!

Table of contents:

General social media questions

Instagram faqs, facebook faqs, youtube faqs, linkedin faqs, 1. how many people are on social media.

As of January 2024, a total of 5.04 billion people around the world use social media, putting the worldwide social media penetration rate at 62%.

2. What is the most popular social media platform?

Based on user count alone, Facebook continues to be the most popular social media platform. It had 3 billion monthly active users in Q4 2023.

3. How long does the average person spend on social media per day?

As of 2024, the average social media user spent around 2 hours and 23 minutes per day on social media according to Statista . Interestingly, this is down from 2 hours and 31 minutes the previous year.

4. What is the fastest-growing social media platform?

While Facebook remains the largest overall platform at three billion users, TikTok has climbed to the fifth largest platform in a short time, with 1.5 billion users. YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram round out the top five largest platforms.

5. What’s the best time to post on social media?

The best time to post on social media depends on several factors. While your choice of platform and your industry both matter, your audience activity plays the biggest role. You should look at your post performance to get valuable data about the perfect post timing for your business.

You can also use our guide on the best time to post as a starting point before you find what works best for your business and industry.

6. How often should I post on social media?

Again, this largely depends on your audience. While you definitely should publish at least one post every day, you should see if posting more often will make any difference in your performance. Once you find a posting frequency that works for you, create a publishing calendar , and follow it consistently.

7. Which social media platform should I use to promote my business?

Having a presence on all popular platforms can be counterproductive if not executed with a strategy. Instead, focus on the platforms that are highly popular among your target audience. The best platforms to use will vary for each business. Check out our guide on how to choose the best social media channels for your business.

8. How do I get started with social media marketing?

There are a few things you need to begin marketing on social media—a goal, target audience and strategy. Determine what you want to achieve through social media marketing and what types of people you want to attract. Then create a social media strategy to streamline and organize your approach.

9. What kind of content should I post?

This also depends on your industry and what appeals to your target audience, although visuals typically take the cake on social media. Try out some of our social media post ideas and see which ones perform the best to find out what type of content your audience likes.

10. How can I get more followers on social media?

Growing your social media following involves a lot of planning and strategizing as well as posting the right content and targeting the right audience. Use our comprehensive guide on how to grow your social media audience to get started.

11. Can I use social media to build a B2B marketing strategy?

Absolutely. With 53% of consumers saying their social media usage has increased over the last two years, your target audience is active on these platforms more than ever. Sprout’s Social Listening tools provide indepth insights including demographic information such as audience segmentation based on factors like age, gender and location when analyzing social conversations about a specific topic for a more comprehensive grasp of your prospects.

Leverage our guide to building a customer-centric B2B social media strategy to start planning.

12. How can I use social media data for market research?

Annual market research is critical for keeping your overall marketing strategy ahead of the curve, and social media data is ripe with actionable insights. Uncover useful insights like audience intent, trends your customers are following and how customers are using your products and services. We have a full article on ways to use social media for market research to get you started.

13. What are the best social media metrics to track?

It’s important to track social media metrics that are important to your organization. Vanity metrics like follower growth and audience still tell a part of your overall story, and can be useful to include. You’ll also want to consider customer satisfaction metrics like reply time, total response volume and customer satisfaction scores (CSAT). Awareness is trackable through metrics like reach, and customer retention is spotlighted in reviews and net promotor score (NPS). Find a full list of suggestions in our guide to the best social media metrics to track in 2024.

14. How can I build an effective influencer marketing strategy?

Influencer marketing has evolved greatly over the years; no longer are brands required to shell out major money for sponsorships with celebrities. The type of influencer you need will depend on your brand persona and target audience. You don’t always need macro influencers with millions of followers to make an impact; micro-influencers with niche followers might just be what your brand needs. Here is a complete guide on the key considerations you need to keep in mind to build an  effective influencer marketing strategy.

Influencer marketing tools like Tagger are pivotal in optimizing influencer marketing efforts. They help you find the right influencers from thousands of vetted content creators, manage contract negotiations and analyze campaigns in real time so you get prompt performance insights and use them to improve your strategy.

15. What are the best metrics to track for influencer marketing?

Once you’ve got a solid influencer marketing strategy built, hone in on what metrics you need to track, such as post performance and the influencer’s overall account performance. We suggest these 10 best metrics to track for influencer marketing including audience engagement and website traffic.

16. How many active users does Instagram have and can it really help my brand?

Over 2 billion users are active on the platform monthly. Additionally, there are over 200 million business accounts on Instagram. And on average, most Instagram users are between the ages of 18 and 34. Learn more Instagram stats .

Instagram data reveals that 70% of consumers research brands and products on the platform for their next purchase. Instagram is also the most-used platform for influencer marketing and 80.8% of marketers plan to use it to strengthen their influencer marketing strategy in 2024. Instagram Stories has further solidified the network’s status as the primary platform to promote visual content and  Instagram Story ads has resulted in more advertisers promoting their products through Instagram Stories than ever before.

There are several apps you can use to enhance your Instagram marketing strategy —apps that can save you time and effort in content creation, scheduling and reporting. Check out a curated list of Instagram apps you’ll need to meet your marketing goals on the platform.

17. How many followers does the average Instagram user have?

The average Instagram personal account has about 150 followers . For public influencer accounts, the number varies widely; an account is considered a micro-influencer with around 1,000 followers.

18. What percentage of Instagram followers sees your post?

While Instagram hasn’t made anything official, many users have noticed that their posts reach only about 7% of their followers. This is because the platform prioritizes posts from accounts you regularly interact with.

19. What is the average age of Instagram users?

On average, most Instagram users are between the ages of 18 and 34. Learn more Instagram demographic stats .

20. Does Instagram sell your information?

No. According to Instagram’s data policy , the network promises to never sell your information. It does, however, share analytics data about users’ activity and preferences with third-party partners such as advertisers and analytics services.

21. What information does Instagram collect?

Besides your device information, Instagram collects the content, communication and information you provide. This can include metadata about your content such as the location. It also collects information about how you use the platform and the people, accounts and hashtags you interact with. Read the full Instagram data policy to learn more.

22. Can you export Instagram followers?

Yes. While not in the Instagram app itself, several tools such as IGExport and Phantombuster will let you export your Instagram followers into a .csv file.

23. Is there a way to download Instagram posts?

Instagram gives you an option to download a copy of all the posts you’ve shared on the platform. Find out how to do this through the Instagram Help Center . As for posts shared by other people, Instagram won’t let you download them directly but you can use third-party apps like DownloadGram and Ingramer. Check out Instagram’s terms of use for image downloading, reposting and embedding.

24. How do you save someone else’s picture on Instagram?

Click on the “Save” button at the bottom of the post and Instagram will add it to your collection. This isn’t the same as downloading a photo or video. To download a picture, you’ll need to use third-party apps.

25. How can I see who saved my pictures on Instagram?

Instagram doesn’t give you the option to see who’s saved your posts, but with an Instagram Business Profile can find out how many times a post has been saved. You can find this information under Post Insights.

26. How do you remove pictures from Instagram?

To remove pictures or videos you’ve posted on Instagram, tap on the “Options” button above your post and then choose “Delete.” You’ll need to tap “Delete” again to confirm that you want to remove the post from Instagram.

27. How do you get your “Top Live” on Instagram?

You could access this “Top Live” section at the top of your “Explore” page before, but Instagram has since removed it. Your curated “Explore” page may show suggested Lives alongside Reels and regular posts.

28. How can I share live video replays?

Choose “Share Video” when you see the option at the bottom of your screen once the broadcast ends. You’ll also get the option to “Download Video” in case you want to save it to your camera roll or “Delete Video” if you don’t want to keep it.

29. How can I see who is live on Instagram?

When someone you follow goes live on Instagram, you’ll see their profile picture at the top of your Feed with a colorful ring around it along with the word “Live.” Tap on the profile picture to start watching their live video.

30. How can I see active users on Instagram?

If users are currently active, you’ll see a green dot next to their profile picture and username. You won’t be able to see this feature if users have turned off their activity status.

31. What is Threads and can I use it for my brand?

Threads is a social platform with a similar structure to Twitter/X that connects directly to Instagram. Users can sign up for Threads via their Instagram account.

Threads can be a piece of your overall social strategy and leveraged in much the same way you use Twitter. One thing to note is that your audience on Threads will likely be identical to your Instagram audience. This offers new ways for your brand to engage with this specific following, reaching them in a different format.

32. How do I get started with Threads?

You can set up a Threads account through your established Instagram account. Download the Threads app from the App Store or Google Play Store and login with your Instagram credentials to get started. The username you use on Instagram will carry over to Threads, and you’ll have the option to customize your profile and bio on the new platform. If you already have the Instagram app downloaded, you can also search “Threads” and tap the ticket icon that appears in the search bar. Read everything you need to know about getting started with Threads.

33. What is Meta Business Suite?

Meta Business Suite is a desktop and mobile app that lets you connect both your Facebook and Instagram accounts in one place. Connect your Facebook and Instagram business pages to Meta Business Suite and dive into scheduling posts, parsing data insights and connecting third party tools like Sprout Social . You can manage Facebook, Instagram, Messenger posts, ads and communications and track their content performance. You can also add and manage an Ad account with Business Manager.

34. What is the Creator Studio for Facebook and Instagram?

Creator Studio is a platform that allows brands and content creators to manage their content, track audience engagement and monetize content on Meta platforms. There are several tools you can use on the platform; we recommend reviewing our full guide to Creator Studio for Facebook and Instagram .

35. What are the best times to post on Facebook?

The short answer is whenever your target audience is most often on the platform. The longer answer is that it varies by industry and day of the week. In general, Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to early afternoon are the best times to post, with any time on Sunday being the worst. You can get more specific in our guide to the best times to post on Facebook .

36. How can you schedule Facebook posts?

It’s difficult to imagine running an entire social media strategy without being able to schedule Facebook posts . There are a few ways you can schedule content ahead of time. First, navigate to the main dashboard of the Meta Business Suite. From here, choose the planner tab and then “Create Post.”

You also have two options for scheduling posts in Sprout. The first is by choosing the “Compose” icon, drafting your post and then choosing a time to schedule. The other path is to use Sprout Queue, found in the “Publishing” tab of your Sprout dashboard. This is a great option when you have content you don’t need to go out at a specific time, as you can let the Sprout Queue choose the best option with the Viral Post feature.

37. How do hashtags work on Facebook for businesses?

Hashtags on Facebook are great for tracking influencer campaigns as well as trending topics. They can be used to categorize conversations your brand is having on the platform. Make sure you avoid spaces between words and all forms of punctuation in the hashtag.

TikTok FAQs

38. how many active users does tiktok have.

As of 2024, TikTok has over 1.5 billion monthly active users. This makes it the fifth most popular social media platform in the world.

39. How often should I post on TikTok?

TikTok suggests a best practice of posting one to four times a day, and experimenting with times and types of content. Ultimately, how often you post on TikTok should be guided by your audience and how often you can intentionally create quality content to share.

40. What are the best times to post on TikTok?

The optimum times to post on TikTok are generally Tuesday to Wednesday, in two time blocks: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. or 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. To get more specific, we have a guide to the best times to post on TikTok broken down by industry.

41. How do I get started with ads on TikTok?

TikTok offers a wide variety of ad types, including both video and image. To get started, you’ll need to create an account on TikTok Ads Manager . Once you’re all signed up, dive into our full guide to ads on TikTok for next steps, including how to install the TikTok Pixel on your website.

42. How do I increase my TikTok engagement rate?

The number one approach to increasing your TikTok engagement rate is to focus on quality over quantity.. For example, posting a well-planned and executed video once a week will give you better results than posting subpar content multiple times a week. Also ensure you post at optimal times (see above) and invite your audience to engage in the comments.

43. How can I use TikTok for influencer marketing?

As a video-forward platform, TikTok is a goldmine for brands looking to strengthen their influencer marketing strategy. There are over 100,000 influencers on TikTok in the US alone. Using TikTok in your influencer strategy involves identifying the right influencers, tracking trending hashtags and keeping a pulse on conversations relevant to your brand. Read more in our guide to TikTok for influencer marketing .

44. What are YouTube Shorts and how can I use them to promote my brand?

Consumers love short-form content . If you’re familiar with Instagram’s Reels or TikTok in general, YouTube Shorts will feel similar. These vertical videos tend to be 60 seconds or less, and creators use them as standalone pieces or to share clips of their longer videos. You can use the same approach you would with TikTok, tweaking to speak specifically to your YouTube subscribers.

45. Are marketers using YouTube Stories?

Yes! According to a report, 59% of marketers currently using YouTube plan to increase their usage. This was the largest percentage of any social media platform.

46. How do I promote my videos on YouTube?

YouTube’s Help page offers an in-depth guide on how to promote videos on YouTube. Suggestions include cross-posting, interacting with your audience and using Google Ads for Video.

47. How can I optimize my videos on YouTube?

Search engine optimization (SEO) is key to making sure your videos get in front of your target audience. There are several things to consider—thankfully, we have a guide for YouTube SEO that breaks it down.

48. What are YouTube hashtags and why should I use them?

YouTube hashtags are similar to hashtags on other platforms. They help you categorize your content and help users find your videos. However, on YouTube, hashtags come with a few extra benefits in the SEO realm. Hashtags help YouTube understand the context of your video, and increase the chances of your content getting in front of the right people.

49. How can I use YouTube for influencer marketing?

YouTube is the second most popular platform for influencer marketing, and it’s easy to see why. With options for both short form and long-form videos, brands can work with influencers to tell visual, engaging stories in multiple ways. Use our YouTube influencer marketing guide to build your strategy.

50. How many members does LinkedIn have around the world?

Globally, LinkedIn membership exceeds 900 million in 200 countries and regions.

51. How can I create an effective LinkedIn Business Page?

Creating an effective LinkedIn Business Page comes down to building and managing it like a true marketing asset. There are many different sections, sub pages and approaches that allow you to be creative and explore new ways to connect with your target audience.

52. Are LinkedIn Ads worth the hype?

Linked Ads can bring a high return on investment. LinkedIn is rated the number one platform for B2B lead generation, and brands have seen a 33% increase in purchase intent from ad exposure on LinkedIn. Marketers say they see two times higher conversion rate on LinkedIn.

53. How do LinkedIn hashtags work?

LinkedIn hashtags are keywords and phrases that help bring your content to your target audience.. You can add them to your posts and on your business and personal pages. Unlike other platforms, LinkedIn heavily encourages using multiple hashtags, including a space where you can select up to three relevant hashtags for your business page.

54. What are the most important LinkedIn metrics to track?

Ultimately, your brand may have specific metrics you want to track, even if these don’t appear on common “most important” lists. However, we recommend focusing on data in the visitors, followers and engagement spaces. These LinkedIn metrics will give you a solid look at how your content is performing and who is coming to your page.

Bonus Question

Did we answer most of your social media questions?

Let us know if you have any other pressing questions about social media or platform FAQs that you’d like us to answer. We understand that things change quickly and you need answers just as fast. Be sure to check out our social media stats to understand the landscape better across all social platforms.

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17 Critical Social Media Questions Brands Must Know

This list of social media questions (and answers) is handy if you are planning to start a social media marketing campaign in the near future or already running one for some time now.

Whatever the case, knowing answers to these social media questions will put you in a better position to run your campaign, improve your fan base, and convert your followers into leads. Here are some of the most common yet critical social media questions/answers to help you get most out of your social media marketing campaign for your brand.

1. Why social media is important for me as a business?

You can’t ignore it today and there’s no better way for a business to engage with their current and potential clients than maintaining a presence on social media channels. It tells your audience you are willing to listen to their concerns and do whatever it takes to resolve those issues.

Not only this, you can take advantage of social media to provide additional customer service options other than phones and emails. In short, social media isn’t always for promotion, it works amazingly well for customer service.

2. How can I select the right social media platform for my business?

Depending on the type of your business, your audience may not hang out on all social media channels. The best thing is to research and identify a few sites and test to narrow down to the best one or two platforms. Still, if you are looking for a surefire way of reaching out to your audience, try Facebook. Irrespective of your audience – small businesses, consumers, or multinational corporations – Facebook will always serve as the ultimate channel to make announcements, promote your content, and respond to people’s comments.

It is always a good idea to stick to a single network for the first few months. You can then cover more networks as your company and digital marketing bandwidth and budget grows.

3. Does Social Media Work for B2B?

Yes, it does. You just need to play smart enough to use it in a different way. You should use it to gather reviews, build thought leadership, and educate people about your business. Don’t use it to run your marketing campaign – use it no more than a medium to conduct two-way dialogue with your audience for brand awareness instead of direct product promotion.

4. What exactly does it mean when you say “Social Media Intelligence?”

It refers to the information you can get from a lead’s social media profile. When someone uses your site or completes a form, you can always visit their social media profiles to gather more valuable details that would help you conduct meaningful conversations with your prospects.

5. How do I proceed if I have limited time/resources for social media marketing?

You can always work with a social media marketing expert if you can afford it. The other alternative is to outsource social media services, which seems to be a more sensible choice for small businesses. Just make sure to outsource all the social media marketing activities such as content creation, designing, advertising to one agency instead of outsourcing to different agencies. Work with that agency to develop an integrated approach to get maximum benefits without having to worry too much about using your time and resources.

Remember that the outsourcing partner is best for execution. The core ideas and what would make people look at your brand is still your job. An active involvement and regular inputs to your social media team will bring best results.

6. How do you attract new viewers and followers on social pages for free? Is social media is a great way to network with potential investors?

Social media is always a great way to engage your audience directly. LinkedIn serves as a perfect resource when it comes to serious business networking, finding partners and investors, but that doesn’t mean you take other social networks lightly. No one stops you to send an interesting tweet or a facebook message to your investors and influencers who will reply and help you build and strengthen your network.

Additionally, it’s the right way to connect, communicate and engage that matters and build followers to your social pages. Using paid advertising is a good choice to make faster follower base if you wish to spend a bit ($100 a month just works fine).

7. Is it possible to optimize social media pages for search engines?

This is a brilliant idea to amplify your social media efforts, keeping it SEO friendly. Start by making sure that your social media profiles and URLs are the same as your business name. Next up, complete your profile by adding as much relevant, focused and sharp content as you can using the words your audience use to find a business like yours – enter details about your location, bio, products, mission, and so on.

Don’t forget to link your other social media pages together to get more link juice, which plays a role in search engine optimization and online visibility. Keep your pages fresh by updating with content that’s relevant to your business and industry while keeping the hot keywords and hashtags in.

8. Is there a way to get more fans and followers?

I partially answered a similar question above. What you should bear in mind is that quality always matters more than quantity in the world of social media marketing. You will do better with 10 engaged followers as compared to 100 non-engaged ones. Numbers may help you create an instant impact, but you cannot sustain that position unless you have engaged followers on your page. Moreover, you ultimately want some results, not just an impression.

Steps like updating pages consistently with content that your audience wants to see, starting meaningful dialogues in group chats, helping people with relevant resources, optimizing your pages to improve your visibility, and offering exclusive content on your social media pages will set the tone and get you more engaged fans and followers.

9. How can I tell if social media is working for my business?

Are you getting inquiries?

Do people engage on the posts or ask you questions?

Is it showing relevant and good traffic coming to your website?

Those are some simplest ways to see if it is working for you. To have more of data report, sign up with Hubspot and check the Sources Reports. This will give you information about how many leads social media marketing campaign has generated for your business.

The report also tells you where your prospects are coming from. A close eye on this report will help you identify the most effective social media channel for your business. SocialReport.com is a low-cost basic monitoring tool with a 30 days free trial.

10. How can I justify spending time on running a social media campaign when management isn’t in favor of it?

It’s true that management in many companies are still not in favor of spending money and resources on social media marketing. It is a slow and steady process with brilliant returns. It’s all about changing the mindset though. Convince them by sharing some case studies of companies in your industry that have improved their business through social media.

Ask your management’s idea on arranging one day sessions by reputed social media experts and address the doubts directly.

11. How much money do I have to spend to get good returns from social media?

You only need to invest time when you’re taking care of your social media management on your own. Most of the platforms don’t charge you anything, unless you want to use paid advertising options, such as promoted tweets, pay-per-click, boost posts etc. Your meaningful posts, conversations and subtle creativity will take you far because that’s what helps keep your audience interested in your content and page.

Update with content that shows how much you value their connection. Also, take steps to get them involved in your brand – do it emotionally as well as other gestures, such as exclusive offers, discounts, etc.

12. Is there a way to convince sales teams and leaders that social media is effective and important?

Look for evidence that shows the time you have spent on social media marketing has created value for your business. You can create customized streams for sales leaders in a tool like Social Inbox to have a look at the leads and prospects connected with you on social media.

13. Who should create and manage my social media accounts?

In a small company, it is best to let someone with a good experience of implementing social media campaigns to take charge of things. You shouldn’t mind hiring even someone who has got strong command on communication, has got wit and good sense of humor, a good practical knowledge of most social media networks and has good listening skills.

In a large company though, an experienced person from the marketing department should take care of everything from creating an account to managing it using a team of writers and creative designers. Hiring a social media marketing consultant and strategist on hourly contract is another choice for companies with flexible budget but little experience with social media marketing.

13. Are there any social networks especially beneficial for small businesses?

For local businesses, Facebook and Linkedin work great. Twitter is a great choice for fast paced global businesses and independent professionals. It works well irrespective of your goals or size of business. You can learn things easily.

For a B2B firm, two best choices are Slideshare and LinkedIn where you can find and connect with influencers in your industry. Insagram, Facebook and Pinterest are smart choices for B2C companies in visual industry.

14. How often do I have to update content on my social networks?

The best frequency is to post once or twice a day on Facebook and Instagram, alternate days on Linkedin, and 2-5 times on Twitter. You need to post at different times on different networks because your followers may access your page at different times of the day. A post a day isn’t going to cut it. Be sure to stagger your posts throughout the day to keep your followers interested and engaged.

15. Is it a good idea to use social media to offer customers service?

Yes, it is a brilliant idea. You can use Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other platforms as well to listen to what your customers are saying and what’s putting them in trouble. You can respond immediately to resolve their issues – you can answer their questions, handle order status inquiries, and satisfy them if they have complaints.

Most importantly, you can use these insights to improve your products and service and even introduce new things.

16. What is the best way to convert my social media followers into customers?

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to get you new fans and customers, but some tactics like offering rewards and use discounts strategies to turn those followers into potential customers. Freebies and giveaways are a good way to let your fans have an idea of your service and product quality.

17. Is there something I need to take care of when doing social media marketing?

Don’t stick to one approach for long, thinking it will always produce equal results. Doing same thing again and again wouldn’t give you different results. Social media is constantly changing, which means you should be ready to refine your strategy to be on top of things. Be sure to go back to the basics and evaluate your strategies on a monthly basis to see how well your methods are working.

Now that you know why social media is important and you got most of your social media questions answered, it’s time to get started and get down to the real nitty-gritty details. Be creative, don’t be afraid to experiment, and always keep an eye on how your tactics are working.

If you got more questions, just share them in comments or send them to [email protected]

I would also be glad to help you with your social media marketing strategy in case you need it.

Sunita Biddu is a digital business coach and power blogging mentor helping coaches and small business owners. She helps with building a strong and profitable online presence and reputation that creates a self-sustaining business.  Sunita writes on this blog once a week about easy-to-use guides and articles about business, coaching, social media and blogging. You can grab some of her free resources and ebooks from the resources section.

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New report says restricting social media access can help kids ... but only sometimes

A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine released Wednesday grapples with the questions: Is social media harming teenagers? And what can parents, and the government, do about it? 

The answers are murky.

The authors surveyed hundreds of studies across more than a decade and came to complicated, occasionally contradictory, conclusions. 

On one hand, they found there isn’t enough population data to specifically blame social media for changes in adolescent health. On the other hand, as shown in study after study cited by the report, social media has the clear potential to hurt the health of teenagers, and in situations where a teenager is already experiencing difficulties like a mental health crisis, social media tends to make it worse. 

What is needed: more research and more coordination.

“There is much we still don’t know, but our report lays out a clear path forward for both pursuing the biggest unanswered questions about youth health and social media, and taking steps that can minimize the risk to young people using social media now,” Sandro Galea, dean of the Boston University School of Public Health and chair of the committee behind the report, said in a news release.

In adolescents, overly restrictive and controlling parental rules, like confiscating a phone for punishment, are often associated with that teenager taking more risks online.

“Our recommendations call on social media companies, Congress, federal agencies, and others to make changes that will protect and benefit young people who use social media,” he added.

Parents hoping for clear guidelines will have to keep waiting.

“The committee sympathizes with some parents’ desire for authoritative prescription on teenagers’ social media use but is also mindful of overreaching the data,” the report concludes. “Venturing hard and fast rules regarding teenagers’ use of social media, rules that the data cannot support, is not something this committee can do.”

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine is an advisory group tasked by Congress with providing guidance on science-related issues.

But its report suggests that parents are closer than ever to arriving at effective strategies for navigating their families through the social media landscape. In the future, calculating the harms and potential benefits of social media will have to take place on a case-by-case basis, it suggests, taking into account factors that will vary widely from teenager to teenager and family to family. 

For instance, the report says that while middle school girls have been found to experience social anxiety, body dissatisfaction and depression when they compared themselves with others on social media, factors such as media literacy, supportive parents and a positive school environment lessened those negative effects.  

The ways social media is used seem to make a difference. When a teenager passively scrolls, as opposed to actively posting, that’s connected by many studies to low life satisfaction and feelings of sadness. It may be that showcasing a hobby or an interest on social media doesn’t produce the same harms. 

But those rates differ by demographic group: Black, non-Hispanic participants in one study reported more negative moods during active social media use, suggesting that the potential benefits of posting on social media are not the same for teenagers of all backgrounds.

And age affects how well certain strategies work. In younger children (12 and under), a family policy that restricts social media except when it’s actively guided by a parent seems to reduce the risk of problematic use and inappropriate behavior online. But in adolescents (13 and older), overly restrictive and controlling parental rules, like confiscating a phone for punishment, are often associated with that teenager taking more risks online. 

“Restrictions on media use are useful for young children,” the authors write, “while increased communication and awareness are more suitable and helpful for teenagers.”

Faced with an urgent need to “create a more transparent industry and a better-informed consumer of social media,” the report calls on companies and regulators to establish international standards, such as clear ways for companies to share data with researchers and accepted best practices to avoid proven harms where possible. 

It recommends that the International Organization for Standardization — a body that sets global rules in areas such as manufacturing and food safety — be tasked with creating a new system, one that could be used by federal and international agencies to track and evaluate social media companies and the algorithms they build. And it asks for funding from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and other agencies to pay for the sort of large, long-term studies that have in the past identified major public health crises. 

This story was first published on NBCNews.com.

Jacob Ward, a technology correspondent for NBC News, is a 2018-19 Berggruen Fellow at Stanford University’s Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences, where he is writing a book about how artificial intelligence will shape human behavior. 

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