As long as Instagram exists, we’ll have a love-hate relationship with the infographic.  During the early months of 2020, grid posts breaking down social justice issues and other large-scale crises were all over the platform; with the passage of time, they’ve become less trendy, for better or for worse. While many have maintained their usefulness, some see them as a cop-out—an easy way to position oneself on the right side of history without “doing the work.” Others might find their concise format reductive or prefer to use social media as a vehicle for escapism. Yet as the Santa Ana winds sent sparks flying across Los Angeles, the city I’ve called home for the past three years, infographics completely dominated my feed. Other posts included footage of burnt homes, GoFundMe links, and queries about fundraising efforts—a far cry from the fit pics and party snapshots I’m used to seeing.

As much as we might sometimes wish for it to be, social media isn’t a world away from the world. When disaster strikes and you spy flames outside your window, it might be the quickest way to share and track down crucial information. Still, posting in the midst of a crisis can bring on a unique set of stressors. Some social media users might reckon with a sense of guilt and passivity, as if their humble Story posts are just shouts into the void. Others might feel frustrated at the expectation to post something, anything, as if the onus is on them to solve the entire problem on their own. I’ve dealt with both of these emotions—but as LA rebuilds and recovers, I’m seeing which posts are creating opportunities for education and action. Without further ado, here are my two cents on how to post when everything around you is on fire—maybe even literally. 

Update friends on your status.

In the wake of a crisis, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by an influx of texts asking if you’re all right. If you’re safe and sound despite the chaos surrounding you, it might be a good idea to post a brief message letting people know not to worry about your livelihood. At the same time…

Remember that posting isn’t a substitute for one-on-one communication. 

After you’ve taken a moment to unwind, you should probably reply to those messages. When your daily routine is disrupted, it can be grounding and healing to reconnect with loved ones near and far.

If you’re not especially impacted by a given crisis or tragedy, you might feel tempted to post a blanket message expressing sympathy or concern. At the bare minimum, this method lets friends know that you’re thinking about them and might be willing to lend an ear to them—but you may want to consider sending a few quick check-in texts instead. Words can’t express how touched I felt when friends from all eras of my life messaged me after seeing LA on the news.

Share action items. 

Sobering facts, statistics, and anecdotes can help illustrate the gravity of a situation for those unaware—but presented without a path for progress, they can lead to feelings of hopelessness. When reposting infographics, try to find ones that encourage readers to take action in manageable ways—e.g., contributing to a family member’s GoFundMe, dropping off specific items at certain donation centers, building DIY air purifiers (Corsi-Rosenthal boxes).

Check your sources. 

It’s easy for misinformation to spread on the Internet. Even among well-meaning netizens, facts can quickly get distorted after a number of reposts. Make sure that whatever you’re posting cites a reputable source—especially if you’re sharing medical or legal information. 

If you realize later on that you posted something misleading, don’t beat yourself up over it—it happens to the best of us. Take the post down, and consider adding a quick explanation or update correcting your misunderstanding. Your followers will be appreciative that you’re steering them in the right direction.

Consider offering a personal perspective.

With our phones constantly in our back pockets, we’re all documentarians. Personal footage and recollections can give faraway followers a clearer picture of what’s actually going on. I didn’t realize just how severe the fires were until I saw a video of the Starbucks in the Pacific Palisades reduced to a mere skeleton.

You’ll never know unless you ask.

After the fires broke out, I was concerned about how to gauge air and water quality in my neighborhood—so I posted a message to my story asking for relevant resources. A number of friends and followers reached out with articles by environmental and health professionals, useful websites and apps, and personal anecdotes that shed light on the situation. My sense of helplessness disappeared as I used their recommendations to formulate a plan for staying safe and healthy. 

If you receive a number of helpful responses, consider sharing what you learned—chances are, plenty of other people are wondering about the same things. On that note…

Use the power of scrolling for good.

If you see someone you follow asking for information, and you have intel that could help them, don’t hesitate to reach out—even if it’s someone you’re not super close to, or a mutual you’ve never actually chatted with. There’s nothing like a disaster to remind you that we’re all neighbors, even when we don’t live on the same block.

One of my Instagram friends recently posted that she couldn’t find any information about legal help regarding fire insurance policies. I, on the other hand, had just seen two Stories with the email addresses of lawyers offering their services pro bono, so I passed some screenshots along to her. Not everybody’s feed looks the same—but if we’re willing to connect with each other, we can build a chain of communication that will serve all of us.