30 Writing Prompts About Social Media

Social media is a huge part of how we live now.

It’s how we stay in touch, find cool stuff, and even do business.

But like anything big and powerful, it’s got its good sides, bad sides, and everything in between.

So, if you’re ready to really think about all that social media means, check out these writing prompts!

They’re designed to get you thinking about how social media affects us, our communities, and whether there’s a “right” way to use it.

Whether you’re a big-time writer or just want to understand this whole social media thing a bit better, these will get your brain going!

Let’s do this!

30 Writing Prompts About Social Media

1. The Impact of Social Media on Body Image: In recent years, we’ve seen a rise in the discussion about body image and self-perception, particularly in relation to the images and lifestyles presented on social media platforms. For this prompt, consider the perspective of a teenager who has grown up with the constant bombardment of “perfect” images on Instagram, TikTok, and similar platforms. Write a story exploring the psychological effects and evolution of their self-image, confronting the realities of “Instagram versus reality”.
   
   
2. The Power of Viral Activism: The reach of social media has provided a new platform for activism, allowing people to raise awareness and fight for causes from all corners of the globe. Write a short story about a social media campaign that starts small but eventually goes viral, leading to significant social change. The central focus should be on the power and influence of viral activism, as well as its potential downsides.
   
   
3. The Isolation of Connectivity: Despite its ability to connect people across the world, social media can often make individuals feel more isolated than ever before. Explore this paradox in a narrative that follows a character who is extremely active on social media but still feels profoundly alone. Examine the irony of the isolation in the face of hyper-connectivity and discuss potential ways to combat this increasingly common problem.
   
   
4. Social Media Detox: Many people are choosing to undergo a ‘social media detox’, removing themselves from these platforms for a period to regain perspective, reduce stress, and refocus on in-person relationships. Write a narrative from the perspective of someone who embarks on a 30-day social media detox. Focus on their journey of self-discovery, the challenges they face, and the changes they experience.
   
   
5. The Rise and Fall of a Social Media Influencer: Influencers are a significant part of the social media landscape, yet their lives are often highly curated and not an accurate reflection of reality. Create a compelling narrative that follows the life of a social media influencer, discussing the highs and lows of living life in the spotlight. Explore the impact of fame, public scrutiny, and the struggle to maintain authenticity in such a setting.
   
   
6. Social Media and Mental Health: The link between social media usage and mental health is a topic of much discussion and research. Write a poignant story about a character whose mental health is negatively impacted by their excessive use of social media, specifically focusing on how they become obsessed with likes, comments, and online validation. Highlight their journey towards recognizing the problem and seeking help.
   
   
7. The Digital Divide: Social media has been criticized for deepening the ‘digital divide’, with individuals who have more access to technology being more connected than ever, while those with less access are left behind. Explore this concept in a narrative where a character from a marginalized community, who lacks regular access to the internet, experiences this divide. Their journey should highlight the contrasts and impacts of the digital divide in an increasingly connected world.
   
   
8. The Ethical Dilemma of Social Media Algorithms: Social media algorithms are designed to show users more of what they want to see, often creating an echo chamber effect. Write a story from the perspective of a software engineer who designs these algorithms but begins to question the ethical implications of their work. Center the narrative around the moral quandary of designing something that potentially fosters polarization and misinformation.
   
   
9. An Unexpected Friendship Formed Through Social Media: Social media can act as a conduit for relationships that might otherwise have never occurred. Write a narrative about two individuals from drastically different walks of life who form an unexpected friendship through a shared interest on social media. The story should emphasize the unexpected bonds that can form through digital communication and shared interests, while also acknowledging the challenges these friendships may face.
   
   
10. The Impact of Cyberbullying on Mental Health: Cyberbullying is a harmful and frequent occurrence in the realm of social media, affecting users of all ages and backgrounds. Through a sensitive and understanding lens, write a story about a character who becomes a victim of cyberbullying and how it impacts their mental health. The narrative should focus on the struggles of the victim, their coping mechanisms, and the importance of supportive networks in such situations.
    
    
11. The Dangers of ‘Doomscrolling’: The term ‘doomscrolling’ refers to the act of endlessly scrolling through negative news on social media, which has been exacerbated during times of global crisis. Create a narrative centered on a character who falls into this harmful pattern, and explore the psychological toll it takes. The story should revolve around the impact of ‘doomscrolling’ on the protagonist’s mental health and their journey towards breaking free from it.
    
    
12. Recreating a Life Offline: With the growing concern over the influence of social media on our lives, some people are choosing to disconnect from digital spaces entirely and recreate their life offline. Develop a narrative about an individual who decides to leave social media and rebuild their relationships and experiences offline. The focus should be on the challenges, surprises, and ultimate benefits that come from disconnecting from social media.
    
    
13. The Role of Social Media in Elections: Social media platforms have become a significant tool in political campaigns and elections around the world. Write a story from the perspective of a campaign manager who utilizes social media to influence public opinion. The story should delve into the ethical dilemmas, strategies, and the power of digital campaigning in modern politics.
    
    
14. Life Through the Filter of Social Media: Social media often presents a filtered version of life, leading to unrealistic expectations and disappointment. Craft a narrative about a character who is consumed with presenting a perfect image of their life on social media, to the detriment of their real-life relationships and experiences. Focus on the contrast between their online persona and their real life, and the impact of living through a filter.
    
    
15. The Spread of Misinformation: Misinformation and ‘fake news’ are rampant on social media, often leading to widespread confusion and harm. Write a story about a character who unintentionally spreads misinformation on their social media, resulting in unexpected and serious consequences. The narrative should explore the responsibility of individuals to verify information before sharing and the potential impacts of not doing so.
    
    
16. Social Media and Entrepreneurship: Social media has created new avenues for entrepreneurship, allowing individuals to market and sell their products or services on a global scale. Write a story about an individual who starts a small business and utilizes social media for its growth. The story should highlight the triumphs, challenges, and the overall impact of social media on entrepreneurship.
    
    
17. Social Media and Parenting: The advent of social media has introduced new challenges and opportunities for parents. Create a narrative from the perspective of a parent trying to navigate their child’s use of social media, focusing on both the potential risks and benefits. Explore the struggles of setting boundaries, understanding online culture, and the importance of open communication between parent and child in this digital age.
    
    
18. Falling in Love in the Age of Social Media: In today’s world, love stories often begin online. Write a story about a couple who meet through social media and start a long-distance relationship. The story should delve into the unique challenges and joys of online dating, maintaining connection, and building a relationship in the era of social media.
    
    
19. Living a Double Life on Social Media: Some people create alternative or secret accounts on social media to express different facets of their personality. Explore this in a narrative about a character who lives a double life on social media, and how this affects their real-life relationships and self-perception. The story should focus on the consequences of maintaining this dual existence and the ultimate pursuit of authenticity.
    
    
20. Using Social Media for Social Justice: Social media can be a powerful tool for raising awareness about social justice issues and mobilizing action. Write a narrative about a character who uses social media platforms to campaign for a cause they deeply care about. Focus on their journey of building a community, the challenges they face, and the tangible changes they manage to effect.
    
    
21. The Cancel Culture Phenomenon: Cancel culture is a relatively new phenomenon fueled by social media where a person, typically a celebrity, is boycotted by the public due to offensive actions or statements. Write a narrative from the perspective of someone who gets “cancelled” and explore the psychological, personal, and professional consequences they face in the wake of the event.
    
    
22. The Evolution of a Social Media Platform: Social media platforms constantly evolve, facing new challenges and competition. Write a story from the perspective of the creators of a social media platform, exploring how they deal with changes in technology, user behavior, and market competition. The story should detail the strategic decisions, successes, and failures they encounter along the way.
    
    
23. The Role of Social Media in Travel: With the advent of travel bloggers and Instagram tourism, social media has significantly impacted how people travel. Write a story about a character who is a travel blogger, focusing on how they plan trips for content creation, balance authenticity with aesthetics, and the broader impact of their influence on local communities and environments.
    
    
24. Coping with Grief in the Social Media Age: The manner in which we grieve and commemorate loved ones has changed with social media. Write a story about a character who loses a loved one and uses social media as a platform for remembrance and coping with grief. Highlight the therapeutic benefits, potential complications, and the unique community support they find in this digital age of mourning.
    
    
25. Nostalgia and Connection Through Social Media: Social media platforms often serve as digital scrapbooks, holding years of memories and past experiences. Create a narrative about a character who stumbles upon old posts or images, triggering a journey into their past. The story should explore how these digital memories affect the character’s perception of their past, present, and future, and how it influences their current relationships.
    
    
26. Generation Gap in the Digital Age: The understanding and use of social media often vary greatly between generations. Write a narrative about a grandparent who decides to join a social media platform to stay connected with their grandchildren. Explore the challenges, miscommunications, but also surprising benefits that result from their foray into the digital world.
    
    
27. The World of Social Media Moderation: Social media moderation is an often invisible, but essential part of maintaining the online community’s safety and standards. Write a story from the perspective of a social media content moderator, focusing on the emotional toll, ethical dilemmas, and the importance of their work in maintaining the balance in the digital ecosystem.
    
    
28. Identity and Self-Expression on Social Media: Social media allows individuals to express their identity in diverse ways. Craft a narrative about a character who uses social media as a platform to explore their identity, perhaps in terms of gender, sexuality, race, or even a hobby. The narrative should delve into the positive impacts, potential backlash, and the importance of supportive online communities.
    
    
29. Social Media and Professional Networking: Platforms like LinkedIn have made networking more accessible than ever. Write a story about a character who lands their dream job through connections made on social media. Highlight the importance of personal branding, professional etiquette online, and the potential of digital networking.
    
    
30. Fact-checking in the Age of Social Media: The spread of misinformation on social media is a growing concern. Write a narrative from the perspective of a fact-checker working to debunk false information. The narrative should illuminate the challenges, ethical implications, and the critical importance of their work in an era of ‘fake news’.