like and share.

Growing up as internet natives, we have overcome many phases of social media faux pas.

Let's review, shall we. I realize this review will be a painful process for many, but it needs to be done.

First, we got emails and gave them names now as we apply for scholarships we are regretting. Mine is sassie495, because I thought I was so clever in fourth grade. As part of these emails we overcame death by forwarding emails onto 10 friends. I apologize if you made my list of friends to forward the evil demon-email to.

Then we progressed to Facebook. Here we went through many awkward phases. There was the TyPe LiKe ThIs AnD yOu'Ll Be CoOlEr ThAn MiChElLe ObAmA phase. It gave me a headache. Then we   had the "Like My Status" phase which became so famous it received it's very own acronym. We also experienced the "tag your friends" photos, it's been a while but I'm sure you recall that pivotal moment in you childhood when you got tagged as the 'cute one' and it made your day.

The latest phase that I've been noticing take over my Facebook home page I will now point out hopefully with the expectation for change. I haven't coined a name for this yet but I will proceed to describe it.

You might have noticed, as I have, an array of shared photos. Now, I have no problem with shared photos, it's just this particular kind. This kind is the one that has a picture of a grandmother with the words written over the top, "like/share if you love your grandma, ignore if you want her to die." Or "like/share if you love God, ignore if you hate Him." Or a cute picture of a little turtle that says, "like/share if you think these are cute, ignore if you want to burn them." Are you serious? I don't appreciate these ultimatums and I refuse to be manipulated in such a cruel way.

Let's make a pact to never again share these photos. If you do, I will scroll over them. Not because I hate my grandma or wish her ill, but because it's a phase that I believe we will overcome.