A Dark Side to Academics on Twitter

TL;DR

Social media can be a valuable academic tool, but boasting about overwork can harm mental health and create false expectations.

Transcript

hey that's Lucy quick disclaimer I was in two minds about making this video in case I'm deemed too harsh but the whole point of this channel is to talk about matters in academia that are uncomfortable or unpopular that need to be brought up and I felt this fell into that category so here we go I am a big fan of social media as an academic I think i... Read More

Key Insights

• 👨‍🔬 Social media is a valuable tool for academics to showcase research, connect with peers, and network for future opportunities.
• 🔉 Boasting about overwork on social media can create harmful comparisons and unrealistic expectations in academia.
• 🏣 Academic social media posts should be mindful of their impact on others, avoiding creating a culture of constant overwork.
• 🔉 Maintaining social media etiquette in academia is crucial for fostering a supportive and healthy environment.
• 🥺 Comparison and boasting on social media can lead to guilt, stress, and mental health issues for academics.
• 🔉 Academics should share achievements and experiences on social media in a positive and supportive manner.
• 😫 Setting realistic expectations of productivity and work-life balance on social media is essential for mental well-being in academia.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can social media benefit academics?

Social media allows academics to showcase research, connect with peers in their field, network for future opportunities, and combat the isolation often felt as a PhD student.

Q: What is the harmful side of academic social media?

Boasting about overwork on social media can create a harmful culture in academia by setting unrealistic expectations of productivity and work-life balance for others.

Q: How should academics approach social media posts?

Academics should be mindful of how their posts impact others and avoid creating a false reality of constant overwork, which can lead to guilt, stress, and mental health issues.

Q: What is the importance of social media etiquette in academia?

Social media etiquette in academia is crucial to maintaining a supportive and healthy environment, where academics can share achievements without creating harmful comparisons or unrealistic expectations.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Social media is a useful tool for academics to showcase research, connect with peers, and network for future opportunities.

• However, boasting about overwork on social media can create a harmful culture in academia.

• Academic social media posts should be mindful of their impact on others and avoid creating unrealistic expectations of productivity.