Everything Sia Grace

Social media is often questioned upon rather it can be beneficial or harmful to society, especially when it comes to talking about online harassment. Over the years, individuals that identify as an LGBTQ+ person on social media has shown that the internet can be a scary place when it comes to this matter. Countless members of the LGBTQ+ community have been bullied and harassed online for no such reason other than their identity as an individual. However, as much backlash that they have received, I believe that social media has also proven to help members. My best friend is bisexual, and so far she has not experienced anything other than positive encounters with her indenty on social media. She, as well as I, feel that social media can be a place where she comes to express herself in a positive way. She explained to me that social media can be a place where other individuals not of the community (including myself) can better educate themselves by listening to and following others in the community. Social media has helped her to branch out and express herself in ways that she was too shy to do in person. Social media also helps others to find similar individuals in which they can gather support and create new friendships. My friend has not only been able to express herself freely on social media, but has also gained so many new friendships from it. Social media gives her an outlet and these people that she can come to, that she either couldn’t find before, or was too shy to do in public. As harmful as social media can be to others, I encourage you to look at the benefits and to see how many positive things have come from it.