A common topic these days is the controversy about social media: is it or isn't it a healthy environment? Honestly, it can be both. Social media is what you make of it, just like life in general. Everything matters, including which websites you use, who you follow/friend, the content you post, and the content you are exposed to. I missed the Myspace fad, but it wasn't long until 12 year old me was able to convince my parents to allow me to make a Facebook account. I thought it was so cool to be able to keep in touch with my family so easily, to see and share family pictures and keep up to date on my family's lives. Twitter became the next exciting site, and Tumblr soon followed.
Social media blows my mind. Because of the technology we have these days, it is possible to be recognized by those who inspire you. It is possible to get mentioned by Mark Zuckerberg on his Facebook posts, or by Harry Styles on Twitter. Service and product marketers have unlimited access to clients, and can easily recruit new clients and fans. Within the last week, "Captain America" and "The Huntsman" have tweeted me to promote their movies, and I, of course, cannot wait to get myself to a movie theatre and watch these films.
Social media is a great way to connect with people who share common interests. Yes, strangers can be dangerous and you never know who is hiding behind a computer screen, but more often than not, strangers turn into friends. In fact, some of the best friendships I have today were formed on social media websites like Twitter and Tumblr. What's incredible about online friendships is that you are connecting with others who share common interests. The miles that separate you don't mean much; you're just an instant message away from each other. When you form an online friendship, you can be yourself. You do not have to filter out the "flaws" of your personality. You do not have to hide your anxieties or constantly worry about what they think of you. If you have similarities, if you share personality traits, if you have a passion for the same activities, friendships will last. If not, there are tons of other people to connect with via social media.
Because of social media, you have the opportunity to let your individuality shine bright. There is no reason to hide your love for food, and there is certainly no reason to be quiet about the bliss you feel when you get to change from jeans into sweatpants after a long day of school/work. Trust me, you're not alone.
Social media is my safe haven, and it can be yours, too. Maybe you shouldn't use Twitter as a diary like I do, but you should definitely follow accounts on Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr that make you happy. I am not shy, whatsoever, about my love for certain bands or certain actors, and guess what? Because of my posts on Twitter, I have gained the attention of nearly all of my favorite celebs.
If it weren't for Twitter and Instagram, I would have never been provided with the tools or opportunities to connect with the incredible actor and inventor Kellan Lutz. It would've been impossible for me to get a hello from the man, let alone score him as a friend or prom date. But thankfully, Twitter was created "to give everyone the power to create and share ideas and information instantly, without barriers." Twitter connected an anxious, alone, younger version of me to an inspirational, admirable, talented man like Kellan and provided me with the courage and ambition to dream big and learn to be happy.
Thanks to Facebook and Twitter, I was able to submit a question to my all time favorite band, One Direction, in hopes of the band answering it on stage at a concert I would be attending. After submitting in at least 100 questions (hey, the more you send, the greater the chances of being selected), I was left breathless when my dream came true. Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, and Zayn Malik (who was still in the band at the time) answered my question on stage in the Hershey Park arena in front of 14,000 people. The band members said my name and pointed me out in the crowd. Equally as great, other audience members captured the moment on their cameras and phones and uploaded videos to YouTube. Everyday since the concert, I have been able to watch the video and hear Niall Horan say my first and middle name out loud.
Sure, terrible things have happened because of social media. Like many others, I will never forget some of the negative words that have been directed towards me online. For instance, in eighth grade one of my classmates had posted a Facebook status that read, "Like my status for a song I would dedicate to you." He and I were never friends, so I'm not sure what I was expecting. Maybe "Fireflies" by Owl City or "Poker Face" by Lady Gaga. I certainly was not expecting the (non existent) song I received: the Fat song. Cyber bullying is a very serious problem, and the access to everyone and everything in the world can be too much power for certain people. However, for each cyber bully on the internet, there are at least 100 positive, uplifting users who are just a comment away.
My life would not be as great as it is if it weren't for social media. The friendships I have formed, the connections I have made, and the opportunities I have been provided with outshine the negativity I have been exposed to. And I hope the same can be said for you.
