Teens Teach Us How To Be Cool On Instagram

The concept is simple but using Instagram is not easy. Teens give 12 tips on how to be cool on Instagram. Really, it's a rundown of the unspoken rules. I think you'll agree with all of them...or at least what I've noted at the end. 

Rules of Instagram (according to teenagers on Buzzfeed):

1. TIMING IS EVERYTHING. Don't post just whenever. Sunday evening is prime time because people are winding down from the weekend and prepping for the week ahead. Tawsha's note: Ah! Noted. I find that early morning is a good time, too. People typically wake up and check their feed. If you've already posted, they are all over it before they even get out of bed. Asking a question is even more of a sure thing in the likes or comment department. 
2. DON'T POST TOO MUCH. Not everyone needs to know every detail of your life. Maybe check the last time you posted and determine whether or not you've posted in the past couple of hours. Too much of you will make others tire of you. Tawsha's note: It's easy to get sucked into the whole 'my life can be exciting' process but if you're not posting something significant, hold off. 
3. IF IT'S A BIG WEEK IN YOUR LIFE, YOU'RE FREE TO POST MORE THAN USUAL. If you are on a trip, if it's the holidays or if you're going through a significant time in life, people actually do want to know what is happening. In this case, you may post more frequently. Tawsha's note: I'd like to add "With the exception of Thanksgiving dinner" to this rule. OMG how many plates of turkey and potatoes can be "liked" in one day? My IG feed had ONLY that on Thanksgiving. I would go searching for someone - anyone - who posted something different. 
4. SELFIES HAVE STRICT RULES. Part of the world 'selfie' is 'sel" as in: Sell. Leave your IG followers wanting more. Don't just post your random selfies for no reason and back-to-back. If you've just posted one, mix it up a bit and maybe throw in a pic of something else. The selfie rules are as follows: 1) Be spontaneous and fun. 2) They shouldn't be posted all the time. Post selfies sparingly. 3) Selfies are not to be taken seriously. 4) Selfies should only be when you have a good one - not just because you have one in general. Tawsha's note: We're on to you if you know your "good side" and post the same selfies all the time. I have a friend who rests her sunglasses down her nose, turns to the right and raises an eyebrow for every selfie. Whenever I see a new one, I question whether or not it's actually new. It's irritating. 
5. FILTERS ARE FOR BRITA PITCHERS, NOT INSTAGRAM. Take a pic and don't even look at the filter options. If you still think you're going to use filters, one teen recommends never using Kelvin. The suggestion is to download apps that have filters like VSCO and Afterlight. Tawsha's note: Sometimes, filters are the difference between "postable" and "delete". Post-workout shots are a great example. Perhaps turn it to black and white. I use Vintique to brighten things up a bit. It's like having a concealer and face-brightener all in one. The app that makes you look all smooth and young isn't working. I'm not being mean, I'm just trying to tell you that it may smooth out your (my) skin and make you look flawless but it also does it with everything around you. The tree in the background isn't that smooth in real life. 
6. KEEP YOUR CAPTION GAME STRONG. Your caption should be thought of as icing on the cake. Your image is what speaks, the caption is the support. Also, don't tag people IN the actual caption. If you choose to use hashtags, save it for the end but only use them if they are ironic. Tawsha's note: I'd like to add that if you really feel like using a hashtag because you want to be grouped with others or want people to find you, hashtag in a comment so it's not in everyone's face as they try to read your quippy caption. 
7. TBTs HAVE TO ACTUALLY BE TBTs. We're talking about 'Throw Back Thursdays," my friends. In other words: #tbt. That photo had better be a total throwback like an awkward middle school photo or cute baby pics. Tawsha's note: #tbt is optional. Don't stress yourself out if you don't have one this week. 
8. BE RUTHLESS WHEN IT COMES TO FOLLOWING PEOPLE. Keep an eye on that following/follower number. It needs to be on point. If you follow someone and they don't follow you back, unfollow them. Unless they are a celeb, of course. Tawsha's note: I can't get on board for this one. I follow people who inspire me and will comment on some things they do. If it's meant to be, they will eventually start following you and that day feels like a party. Just sayin'. 
9. LET THE KARDASHIANS BE YOUR EXAMPLE OF WHAT TO DO - AND WHAT NOT TO DO ON INSTAGRAM. The Kardashians have millions of followers. They must be doing something right. If you take a look at Kendall and Kylie, note the amount of selfies they take. Don't do that. Tawsha's note: I'm not sure this tip should even be in here. Looking to the Kardashians for anything seems counter-productive to growth in life. 
10. PUTTING YOUR ACCOUNT ON PRIVATE IS WEIRD. Set your profile to public. You're on Instagram for a reason, we assume. Is it to connect with others? Tawsha's note: While explained in a non-committal way, I agree. If you're on Instagram to connect with friends and family, do it in person. We don't do it enough, anyway. If you're there to connect with like-minded individuals, set your profile to public. I know that if someone follows me and I don't know them, I'll click on their name and if I can't see what they are all about and determine whether or not their posts are interesting, I won't follow. You've become a mystery. 
11. USE THE BUDDY SYSTEM. Should you or shouldn't you post that picture? If it's in question, ask a friend who will tell you the truth. Don't find that one person who adores everything you do and will set you up for failure because they "love you no matter what". Tawsha's note: I don't know if it's that serious. However, if your post is risque or has someone else in the shot that wouldn't be so happy with the fact that you posted, I'd run it by a friend for a second opinion. 
12. HAVE SOME FUN AND DON'T TAKE IT TOO SERIOUSLY. IT'S INSTAGRAM, AFTER ALL. That says it all. Tawsha's note: Exactly!