When Social Is Too Social
Healthy Boundry's And Adequate Protection
Dear social media,
I have spent a couple years in denial of just how powerful you are.
I have listened to many say what a wonderful form of expression you offer, I have also heard many say how dangerous and exploiting you can be.
I honestly thought they were giving you too much credit. After all, you are just blank space and a keyboard, that I have taken advantage of myself.
However, in hindsight, I believe, I was being naïve.
The power and dangers come, as you offer a safe place of seclusion for those lurking in the corners, with free access to virtually everything. Although you have no face or fingers, you are the means used to stalk, torture and torment.
You welcome us into your venues offering connection and creativity, while hiding in the shadows are monsters and beasts, waiting to catch us unaware. Lingering near, anxious to devour and distort our innocence.
Our children are under siege as you offer anonymity for mob like attacks on what they wear, what they believe and unending shaming of every kind you can imagine. With little or no protection at all.
Of course, there are positive aspects to what you offer, that is what draws us in, the unbelievable potential it holds. But, unless supervised, these private spaces without faces, becomes a dark and terrifying place, where there is no escape and horrifying consequences.
You must do better, together we must be better.
While perusing one of the biggest mediums on your platform, I came across a video journal of a beautiful young girl and her personal battle with social media.
There are hundreds of these stories out there.
It highlighted social bullying, body shaming and its undue pressures, especially on our children. It was posted by her mom, documenting the mental, physical and emotional changes her baby experienced. As a mom, I was shocked, hurt and outraged by it.
This video prompted me to write you this letter.
I want to encourage you to continue exploring and offering new ways for us to be a better world. You have the access and the abilities to create safe spaces, so we can become strong successful individuals, building a better tomorrow, together.
I appreciate the freedoms you offer us, and the endless opportunities provided. These avenues are daily connecting the world, I only ask that you consider ways to keep our innocence intact for our children and the future of humanity.
With great admiration and respect,
K
About the Creator
Kelli Sheckler-Amsden
Telling stories my heart needs to tell <3 life is a journey, not a competition
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Message Me Afterwards
>That was a bad idea. I thought you knew… >Oh, the pathos! I don’t really know you as well as I should. In fact, I may not know the real you at all. That essential, sparkling you that you only reveal to a select few. Had I been paying more attention to the stories you are so fond of telling, in which you are invariably author, narrator and protagonist, I would not have been so foolish as to set you up on a blind date. After all, no friend has ever done anything of the kind for another. That’s preposterous. What is a friend, really?
By D. J. Reddall7 days ago in Fiction
Comments (3)
Thank you, Kelli- I am always glad to read your comments because you practice what you preach.
Well written, important subject, incredibly sobering video. And how to fix the problem when six degrees of separation have become two. There are so many points of access anymore, children & youth especially are so vulnerable. We're warned in our churches that we should be careful about posting videos or pictures of children & youth activities because predators use them to scout & pick out new targets. It feels overwhelming & I have no idea how to fix it. All I feel capable of doing is caring & listening & reassuring those who are struggling that someone is there for them, they are loved & lovely. But there is so much cacophony I fear even the best of hearts & voices will be drowned out.
Damn, you nailed this. It's so true. Social media can be an extremely toxic environment, especially for kids. As an adult, who follow several of my favourite sports teams on SM, it never ceases to amaze me the level that even other ADULTS will stoop under the cloak of anonymity. Just toxic, nasty, insulting, threatening behaviour.