With resources, like online articles and social media, today’s youth has become more aware of what is happening throughout the world. More and more teens are learning to be open-minded and are educating themselves and each other on different social issues. With the different online platforms, it’s easier for young adults to start movements, petitions, and to raise awareness on various topics in addition to coming together and spreading our messages. For instance, the Black Lives Matter movement has become a powerful and significant civil rights movement and has been helped through social media to spread its message. I have learned about this movement through my fellow followers through various networks including Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr, and articles from writers within my own peer group.
Without social networking services such as Twitter and Tumblr, I wouldn’t have been as aware of the amount of oppression that different groups of people face everyday. Reading and seeing people’s struggles has really opened up my eyes. Realizing that there are many other teens who share the same views and values that I do, has made me recognize that being open-minded and socially aware is a part of youth culture. Such awareness has grown in the recent years and has taught many the importance of seeing how society works.
Many are being taught things they should have learned by their parents, teachers, or other adults around them. Knowing that not many teens are getting the knowledge they are supposed to have is frightening. This is a reason why my peers feel that it is important to take matters into their own hands and teach the people around them what they should know.
I remember when I was a fourteen years old and had no idea that the word “feminism” existed. I was new to social media and didn’t understand the concept of social activism until I came across a website known as Tumblr. I quickly learned that everybody faces problems in their daily lives. Their struggles weren’t having a flat tire or getting a bad grade on a test. They were those of not being able to make friends because of their skin color or being criticized for being of overweight. Seeing the struggles of others made me want to fight for the freedom that they should have to be themselves. Becoming socially aware on Twitter has given me the opportunity to write for Affinity Magazine, a magazine of social issue articles written by teens.
Alexis Isabel, one of the many social activists on Twitter, has shown young adults the importance of fighting for what they believe in. Through her activism on social media, Alexis has received the opportunities to create an audience through her website, Feminist Culture. She has also written for a few magazines and has articles written about her and the various topics she educates others on. Although it might be difficult for her to handle all of the hate she receives for being so open about her beliefs, Alexis still tries her best in educating herself and her followers.
The internet has taught many how to let go of their ignorance and pay attention to much more important matters. Social justice movements are rising and people are making a difference. Without social media, many would still be unaware of the oppression others face every single day of their lives.We wouldn’t be able to spread awareness like wildfires, such as we can now. The youth of the world is an example as to why social media is essential in today’s society.
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