Social media is a beautiful thing. It has enabled our entire world to be connected in seconds, even if we’re thousands of miles apart. Social media allows us to showcase our personalities digitally while receiving information, joining in on conversations, and voicing our opinions.
It comes as no surprise that in light of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and worldwide, people have taken to social media to share relevant content and speak out about the issues going on in our world today. However, it seems to be that people are taking to social media in selfish, close-minded ways.
Everything is becoming a competition. From creating viral posts that are shared worldwide to voicing opinions just to get “likes” and “comments”, we’ve become completely sucked into an online “contest.” Viral posts and hashtags are extremely effective in raising awareness and showing we care, but often times the popularity aspect behind them can be a driving force in the wrong direction. People have taken the news derived from horrible events in our world today and used it as an excuse to stand on a soapbox, all in hopes of receiving feedback from anyone who will listen.
The world is becoming a scary place, and social media has allowed us to rise against the terrors we’re enduring to show we care. We’ve come together using hashtags like #PrayForParis to show our support, but then seconds later are criticized by some other viral post for not using individual hashtags for every other country impacted by a terrible event. While it’s true that Paris is not the only city that has been affected, is it appropriate to criticize the actions of thousands of people online for showing their support? Not really.
Every country that has been impacted is important, but does it need to be made into a fight about whom we should REALLY be praying for? Why have tragedies become a competition comparing which one is the worst? Why are we conned into feeling guilty for only showing support for one city instead of multiple?
But it doesn’t stop there. In addition to the competition aspect of social media, so many of the posts surrounding the recent attacks contain false information, often times because many people are only partially educated on the matter being discussed. Everyone is entitled to his or own opinion, assuming that the opinion is well educated, which is certainly not always the case. The resources are out there to learn more; however, we’re often so close-minded to our own preconceived thoughts that we don’t take the time to discover the truth.
Having an opinion doesn’t mean you need to share it, either. During this tough time, think about the victims. Think about the thousands of people all over the world directly impacted by these terrible attacks. Think about how they would feel reading your opinion before you post it, whether it’s positive or negative.
Social media is an amazing way to connect with each other to show support in light of the horrific events that have been happening all over the world. Raise awareness and remain sympathetic in any way you can, but don’t drag others down in the process. Not everything needs to be for “likes” or “shares”, it needs to be for compassion out of the goodness of our own hearts.
Remember: social media isn’t a competition; it’s a way to unite our world during the times we need it most.
