We've all seen them, the heart and nothing else as a Facebook status, the single colour or word that makes no sense. Then you get the inbox message, post whatever-it-is-this-time to your Facebook profile to raise awareness of whatever-it-is-this-time.
I admit, when Facebook was new to me I got sucked into these games, but I think it's important to clarify why, if you send me one of those Facebook messages asking me to post something random, I will now ignore it.
Firstly, posting a random word or emoji to your Facebook profile doesn't raise awareness of anything because people don't know what it is. Admittedly, the private message that goes with the heart for breast cancer awareness does contain a reminder to check yourself, which is definitely a good thing, but don't you think posting an article on how to check yourself to your Facebook profile would do more good and raise more awareness? In fact, here's the advice from the NHS website. Go on, share it now!
I've found out from experience that personally written posts get a reaction and get people talking, and that's what you need to really raise awareness. I talk about my dermographia because I think it's important that other people that have it see it as a positive thing and not something to be ashamed of.
I've posted about the amazing treatment I received when a smear test revealed abnormal cells and reminding people how important it is to get tested, in response to an article about the decline in young women going for cervical screening. I've also posted on Facebook in the past about why I won't post a heart to my Facebook profile for breast cancer awareness. All of these posts have received more likes and comments than any heart I've ever seen as someone's status.
Social media can be a wonderful tool and there have been some brilliant awareness raising campaigns. The Ice Bucket Challenge is the obvious success story, but I've just read about Asthma UK's #scarfie campaign, which is a fun way of showing people with asthma how to avoid the cold air trigger in the winter. It's fairly easy to spot which campaigns are productive and which aren't. The Ice Bucket Challenge clearly told everyone it was about ALS/Motor Neurone Disease and asked people to make a donation, and these have helped fund massive advances in research. The #scarfie actually shows people how they can help prevent an asthma attack. A random word posted to Facebook doesn't really have the same impact.
My other reason for not partaking in these games is that the people I know, who's lives have been touched by the terrible illnesses that they claim to raise awareness of, don't agree with them. At best they think they are pointless and at worst they find them insensitive and upsetting. I can't speak for everyone on this, of course, but I do think it's worth remembering that some people feel upset rather than supported by these things.
I guess what I'm trying to say is we need to think about what we're posting. Is it really going to help or could we be doing something more useful? And on that note I'm off to share the advice on checking your breasts from the NHS website to my social media.
