I'm sure you have all heard countless statements along the lines of "Kids are just always on their phones these days" or "No one is ever present in the moment anymore!" People are always seeing the negative in our current digital world. It's become a place of division between generations. Social media is seen as a distraction rather than a platform. YouTube is one that is deeply misunderstood by a large group of people because of its ever-increasing diversity of content.
YouTube is different than most other social media sites because it is specifically focused on videos. Some people might think that YouTube is just a place to find music videos and some random cat videos (both of which are amazing), but it is much more than that. YouTube has become a place where individuals can write, film, edit, produce, and upload whatever they can come up with. There are nearly no limits when it comes to YouTube. Someone can cover a song, write a short film, play a game, or just talk to the camera about something that interests them. It allows people to showcase their life, opinions, or art in a video format without having to deal with writers, producers, actors, etc. because all they need is a camera and a YouTube account and they're good to go.
YouTube also provides a great platform for creators to have a personal connection with their audience. There are so many sub-communities within the larger community of YouTube that you can find other creators that share your interests with the click of a button. YouTube is full of comedians, creative individuals, or families documenting their everyday life. It has changed the world of traditional media (TV, film, and literature) in unexpected ways. Most young people feel a sort of disconnect from TV shows because of the lack of communication between the actors and the audience. Many "YouTubers" are expanding from just YouTube and are having talk shows, starring in movies, and even writing books! It is just one way in which the internet has affected lives and changed how we view digital media.
YouTube has also become a place where I, personally, have become friends with many people. I have found fellow fans of some of my favorite "YouTubers." I have also gotten myself acquainted with some creators that inspire me greatly by pursuing their passions and spreading happiness and positivity. While I haven't gone to any, internet conventions such as Playlist Live and Vidcon are where fans can meet their favorite creators as well as fellow fans. When these conventions occur, all over my Twitter feed there are pictures of internet friends meeting for the first time and it's a magical time.
So, next time you hear someone talk about how social media is destroying social interaction, share with them the wonders that can come from social media and how it can venture from the computer screen and into the "real world."
