We live in a social media age where everyone has an opinion and feels the need to share those opinions on social media. Part of being a Buckeye parent is learning how to engage and disengage on social media. Being the parent of an Ohio State student-athlete means handling the opinions of fans, spots writers and haters without losing your sanity or your cool. The following are five helpful ways to handle social media as a Buckeye parent.

Remember, whatever you post becomes public information

Twitter is great place to connect with family, friends and fans, but it’s not the place for the sensitive; so if you can’t handle anyone saying anything bad, unfavorable or negative about your son, don’t join Twitter. Overall Twitter is a cool place where you get to connect with like-minded people, friends and other lifelong Buckeye fans. But like everything in life, you must use discretion. Whatever you post, make sure it doesn’t shine a negative light on your family, your son or the program. Keep it light on Twitter and don’t take the opinions of others personally. When sharing on Facebook, your status is no longer just yours, it can be picked up or read by others, as well as the news media. If it’s negative, it will get out. Remember your role and responsibility is to support your son and cheer on the team, not to make the news.

Let sportswriters and media do their job

Nothing is more annoying to a student-athlete parent then reading negative things written by a reporter who didn’t have all the facts. But the worst thing you can do is to go on a social media rant about it. All you’re doing is putting more flames to the fire. If you must speak, wait till you’re not as emotional. State your position, if you must, without insulting the reporter or news outlet. You never win when you do that. You’ll just help to validate the stereotype of the cray sports parent. Keep your cool and let the story die without killing your sanity.

Let fans be fans

You’re never going to make everyone like your kid. So don’t even try. Fans are entitled to their opinions and emotions. Let them express themselves. Trying to comment on every fan’s comments on social media or the message boards is a waste of your valuable time and precious energy. You will be fighting a battle you will never win. Fans invest lifelong support into the Buckeyes. They care, even when they’re frustrated. Let them have their moment. If you can’t handle their comments, don’t read the tweets and avoid the message boards.

Do not engage opposing teams or their fans

When it comes to the enemy, do not engage. Football games are won on the field, not on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Don’t get drawn into a Twitter beef with some lonely guy living in his mama’s dimly lit basement. Don’t feed the troll. Let them troll on. Take the high road and let our boys handle business on the field, not on social media.

Keep personal, internal matters off social media

If you’re upset with a coach, don’t take it to Twitter or Facebook. Find a friend, another parent you trust and can confide in. Also talk directly with the coach and let him know, with respect, how you feel. Communicate with respect. You wouldn’t want anyone coming to your job and cussing you out; so mutual respect gets more accomplished. The world doesn’t need to know about family issues and concerns. Let’s keep that in-house and resolve it internally; after all, we’re family.