Diana Coman, a social media specialist who posts on Instagram under the name @ProfaDeSocialMedia, has published a practical guide to responsible online communication, stressing that “social media is about conversations, not about who has the last word – about how we choose to speak, not only about what we say.”
In a post addressed to her followers, Diana Coman outlined a series of simple rules to encourage healthier public dialogue on digital platforms.
In her guide, she urges users to criticise ideas rather than people, noting that a conversation stops the moment it turns into a personal attack. She also recommends reading an entire post before forming an opinion to avoid hasty conclusions and unnecessary conflicts.
Another key piece of advice is not to turn social networks into a “courtroom”, where every post becomes a public verdict instead of an invitation to dialogue and information exchange.
“Social media is not a courtroom. When every post becomes a public verdict, the goal is no longer dialogue or sharing information, but condemnation. Ask yourself every time: do you want to understand, or just to win?” she wrote.
Accountability and transparency
The content creator also highlights the importance of taking responsibility for mistakes.
“A simple ‘you’re right, I was wrong’ defuses more tension than ten justifications,” she noted, adding that people tend to forgive an honest mistake more easily than stubbornness.
Among her recommendations is asking for consent before posting photos of other people, reminding users that “not everyone wants to be on the internet.”
Coman also highlights the risks of sarcasm, which can be easily misunderstood online in the absence of direct communication, tone of voice, and contextual cues.
She further stresses the need for transparency when content is generated with artificial intelligence or published as part of a paid partnership, warning that a lack of disclosure can lead to content removal, legal sanctions or even account suspension.
“Transparency is not just a platform rule; it is a form of respect for the community,” she wrote.
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Diana Coman is an associate lecturer at the Faculty of Journalism and Communication Sciences, where she teaches social media and holds a PhD in communication sciences.
She has more than 15 years of experience in the communications industry, having worked with major digital and social media clients, and currently hosts a regular social media segment on the TV morning show Neața cu Răzvan și Dani.
Photo: Freepik
