How to Turn Online Outrage into Something Helpful

Ever run across something on social media that you find to be both super annoying and grossly inaccurate? (Like, all the time?)

My general stance with regard to social media is, “Don’t engage with the outrage.”

There’s enough toxicity out there already. If I’m going to contribute something, it needs to add value. It may offer a challenge, but it should ultimately encourage someone as well.

Last week, I had the opportunity to put this into practice.

I’d been seeing a cartoon passed around on Twitter of a man holding an umbrella over the belly of a very pregnant woman, as though to protect the pre-born child from the rain while ignoring the mother and her other child, who are getting soaked.

The point of this nonsensical illustration is evidently that “pro-lifers only care about the baby” while ignoring the mother and the rest of her family.

Really?

Having worked at a pregnancy help center for ten years, I know a completely different story–but instead of duking it out with the Twitter trolls, I decided to spend my energy encouraging the folks who’ve dedicated themselves to offering hope, help and compassion to women (and men) facing unplanned pregnancies.

Here’s my response to the “you only care about the baby” accusation:  “How Pro-Life Ministry goes well beyond “Only Caring about the Baby.”

Enjoy the article, and remember, don’t engage with the outrage. Instead, do something helpful.