How Social Media Gives Everyday People a Voice

This week's chapter made me think a lot about my voice and who I can reach with it. In Section One, it states that blogs are popular because they “give everyday people a voice,” and I think this applies to other forms of social media as well. When I put something online I know more people will see it than if I had tried to spread the information differently. Additionally, I have the opportunity to be taken more seriously online because my voice isn't smothered by my gender or my age. People speaking up on social media have a history of making changes that wouldn't have been possible otherwise. Online, people can see wrongs and talk about them. This has become increasingly common in the past few years.

Recently, a video went viral from a police officer's body cam. The video showed him and a fellow officer turning on a young Black wo
man with seemingly no valid reason and killing her after she made a joke he didn't understand. This video spread so fast that people were able to share it and raise awareness of the tragedy. People also gave their opinions on what his sentencing should be. The officer has since been fired and charged with first-degree murder. Without the leak and widespread sharing of this video, the case likely would have gone down like many before it. This young woman’s death would have been blamed on her, and she likely would not have gotten justice.

In another example, there is currently a trending online argument between a redhead and a blonde on TikTok. The redhead went on a date with the blonde’s ex-boyfriend a week after they became friends. Naturally, this caused turmoil in their friendship, but thanks to social media, the whole world can now take a side. Now, the redhead is posting edits bashing the blonde while the blonde is donating all the money she is making from this situation to charity. What could have been a simple dispute between friends has now expanded globally. People following this story are waiting for updates and sharing their own opinions. It has become a worldwide event.

Another big issue on TikTok involves a mother named Heather who just lost her young daughter to suicide. Heather shared the story of her daughter and her bully in hopes of raising awareness for other families who may need it. However, the bully’s parents took Heather to court and had her social media accounts banned so she could no longer share her story. The media rallied around Heather and started petitions to get the court to give Heather her voice back. Thankfully, it worked and Heather can continue to keep her daughter's name and memory alive for the many people online who have come to love her.

However, I don't think it is always a good thing for everyone to speak on every topic. Some issues should be handled by credible professionals or behind closed doors. When everyone shares their opinion, misinformation can spread and truths cease to matter. Many people will believe anything they see on social media without doing their own research. I think there needs to be a balance between what is appropriate for people to influence and what is not. Everybody having a voice can be both a good and bad thing. Thanks to social media, this is now a debate that we as a society have the privilege of navigating for future generations.