In the wake of the shootings and explosions that hit Paris on Friday, people flocked to social media to disseminate information, check on their loved ones and show support for victims. Immediately, #PrayersForParis and French flags flooded my Twitter timeline. Facebook prompted me to add a temporary blue, white and red filter to my profile picture. On Instagram, vacation photos in front of the Eiffel Tower mimicked native empathy, and on Snapchat, users could add filters to embellish their five-second waves of support.

Though these features promoted conversation and solidarity, I chose not to take part in it. In the realm of social media, I did nothing but share a post made by the White House, quoting President Barack Obama. And as I scrolled through the dizzying blue, white and red on my Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram feeds this weekend, I grew skeptical of what it all meant.

Social media activism — sometimes called slacktivism — requires minimal effort to exercise and is only truly beneficial to the egos of the participants. It’s quick, easy and impulsive, an act that we can feel good about without batting an eye. The horrific events in Paris ignited a strong slacktivist sentiment, best illustrated by the idea that small changes, such as adding the French flag to one’s Facebook profile picture, are kind acts of support. Though there’s nothing blatantly wrong about participating in this way, it’s important to recognize its implications.

As hard as it is to admit, all Internet activism comes with a hint of egotism. Changing one’s profile picture for a week doesn’t do much except make your Internet persona appear more sympathetic. Calling out your friends for only posting about Paris when terrorist attacks are happening elsewhere becomes a contest of political correctness. Tweeting #PrayersForParis automatically, then following it with a Drake meme, can be seen as cheapening the seriousness and severity of terrorism. Oftentimes, we do these things without much thought — I know someone who admitted to changing profile pictures because “everyone was doing it” — and that’s not true “solidarité.”

I’m not saying we shouldn’t participate. Social media has played a noble role amid the Paris attacks, such as Facebook’s Safety Check feature and the #PorteOuverte hashtag indicating open shelter. But once these filters and flags become automatic responses to crises, it is in danger of becoming a gimmick, a reason to make international struggle about ourselves. There is no right answer to dealing with international crises, and in a time so powerfully reliant on social media, it’s hard to avoid such postings. We mustn’t and shouldn’t avoid it — instead, we should be mindful of what we’re churning out on our feeds, remembering that someone, somewhere, would feel awkward seeing the French flag over your tipsy-at-a-tailgate profile picture.

Email Grace Rogers at [email protected].