Clare A Osborne

It doesn’t matter if you are from rural country town, or a booming metropolis, whether you are reading this on your laptop, iPad, or phone. If you are reading this you have the potential to create a powerful online community with the tap of a screen or keyboard. Think of it like a virtual bridge, it doesn’t matter where you are in the world, within a few seconds your message could traverse borders and reach far-away places you previously only accessed by long haul flight.

For me social media has allowed me to watch my nieces and nephews grow up on camera from afar, something I am tremendously grateful for.

Social media helped me overcome borders during a lockdown, a time which was extremely isolating, as I am sure it was for so many others. Far be it from me to speak fondly of a pandemic, but it fundamentally changed how we all communicate for the better.

If my reasons are not compelling enough, lets dive a little deeper into two reasons why social media is a tool for good, a tool which used right can support even the most marginalised groups or the busiest people to stay connected.

Supporting marginalised groups to stay together, apart

Social media can create safe online spaces for marginalised groups to connect online. Think of it like a virtual support group for people to share their experiences and find support in what might be an otherwise lonely time. They can even engage online anonymously, protecting the privacy of people who might be at risk. Social media facilitates the creation of communities for those who might not be otherwise able. It is because of social media we can nurture a sense of belonging, while being apart.

Cultivating friendships online, when life gets a bit busy

It happens to the best of us, we grow up, we get full-time jobs, life moves on and sometimes our friendships get left behind. Maybe you have hit that new milestone, you’re having your first child, or you get your dream job, all you want to do is share it with your friends but there’s just not enough time. Life can get busy and isolating at times but we are so lucky to have a tool in our pockets that keeps us connected virtually when we can’t be together physically. All we have to do is hit send and we pop up in a mates’ pocket. We can even have a group gathering online with a group chat (don’t worry we all have that one group chat we have muted).

Like I said, social media is a powerful tool, primed for good.