You are deep in a special game that most people play. And maybe, you’ve forgotten you are actually in it.

To be clear, “social media”, a lazy term used by journos and parents alike - means that whole set of things we use on our devices to connect and talk online.

• This includes Facebook, Instagram, and all the others.
• These apps have become so involved in real life that frankly, we’re starting to accept they’re here to stay.
• You notice their effects less and less.
• They have slithered their way into your life and established themselves.

Listen, it’s not all bad.

In fact, it’s rather beautiful.

You appreciate that social media gets a bad rap.

Older generations remember and talk of a time when these things didn’t exist.

Research makes comments like “social media causes depression”.

You’re young, you’re free, and you’ve got the ability - there are ways you can view and use social media to a benefit.

At Voix, we challenge the negativity, and pause for a moment to remind ourselves of the good things about social media.

First, connection.

• You are, through Facebook, and any other app, intimately or indirectly connected to thousands of others.
• More likely millions.
• From photos, to videos, to details, you can find out about others.
• You can message a professional on Linkedin.
• You can message a friend at any time… maybe you’re even tracking their location! That old friend who moved to Europe? You can get in touch.
• You can rebuild bridges and connect with new contacts instantly.
• It’s extremely easy to figure out what the rest of the world is doing.
• This might be why more teens report that social media is an antidote for loneliness.

No doubt there is a community for everyone, every little quirk. This is beautiful, for if you never see others like you, you may start to wrongly feel you are different from the human family.

Let’s not forget, these interconnected worlds are also worlds of knowledge.

The secrets of the world these days aren’t stored in distant libraries. From YouTube to TikTok, young people are busy finding information and sharing it. At your fingertips, you can find most facts and most times, anywhere in the world.

There has, of course, been the criticism that a lot of this data is misinformation. That’s a frightening prospect. Yet the fact remains, there is a lot of academic information and videos out there on every topic imaginable.

Young people are becoming self-taught aficionados who read about and share their every little interest. And there are facts to be checked, debates to be had, in firestorms all over the virtual world.

Second, social media is the promised land for finding and sharing your voice.

You know now of generations of Youtubers, Twitch streamers, Tweeters and TikTok artists who have become the main voices around the world. This is all due to the technology.

There are now universities on how to grow your profile online; there are debates and judgments of who says the right things. And then, millions are listening.

For how many movements have started from a video or a voice somewhere in this universe? Musicians are noting dreams from their bedrooms. And this is a tremendous opportunity for young people that leads to political and musical miracles.

There are risks, though.

Voix has mentioned before that these unfamiliar environments are still lands where what you say and do may remain forever.

So, tread carefully, and rehearse your self-expression with trusted friends and family first.

There is a growing need for a place where we can “try things out” with limited consequences and trusted friends.

And this is where Voix steps in.

Reference:

https://www.verywellfamily.com/benefits-of-social-media-4067431