Social Media...(insert huge question mark)! Social Media can be used positively as well as negatively. Let's break down the words... Social Media. Social, meaning something relating to society or its organization, and media being the main means of mass communication. Collectively the term social media is websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking. However the perception that we as a human race have on Social Media is very interesting. Today alone I have seen two different occasions where Social Media has been very negative, but with a few tweaks could have been extremely positive, helpful, and may have even saved a life. (WARNING- REAL CONVERSATIONS BELOW)
I was sent a video this morning on Facebook. The video depicted two students on a school bus in which appeared to be a bullying situation. The video was alarming to say the least. I was very disturbed because of various reasons. The video claimed bullying was happening and implied that the school did "nothing" to help the student. I was also disturbed that the first time I heard about it was through a tagged video on Facebook. Facebook is good and all, but not the place to handle serious sensitive issues. I was also appalled at the large number of people who shared the post. The post needed attention from people that actually have the power to do something about it, not people just sharing to get likes. What we share, we ultimately condone. Nonetheless, it was discovered that the video itself was approximately 3 months old and that the school has already dealt with the situation effectively. Not sure of what prompted the energy to respond, but glad that it has been rectified and that a solution was provided without any explanation. (Still trying to figure it out)
The next case is of the young man that was mentioned in news today. A 23 year old young man committed suicide after shooting his child's grandfather and killing his own child by shooting them in the head. This act is senseless and terrible to be blunt and honest. Children shouldn't die at the hands of their parents. The more disturbing thing is that the young man posted on Facebook around 1pm "THIS WILL BE THE LAST DAY THAT I LIVE I LOVE EVERYONE THAT WAS IN MY LIFE." As of 9:20pm 3/31/19 that post has 336 reactions, 257 comments, and 335 shares. Once that was posted, the thing to do would have been to reach out to him. There were some other posts that he posted very similar but not as graphic and direct as the post he posted just hours before taking his own life and the life of his child.
I'm not here to pass judgement on the young man, there's a God that will do that. I do know that I don't agree with the decision the man made regarding his or his child's life. Based upon everything I have read, I do know that mental health does play a huge part in this case. Back to the social media concern. Why would 335 people think it would be appropriate to share a post about a man and his desire to end his life. Some of the comments have made me question my belief in humanity. Death is nothing to joke about. It's a life event that oftentimes takes the very life away from those affected. Some of the reposts and shares are from people just trying to get more "likes" at the expense of a tragedy.
Be mindful of how we use Social Media.
