Learning Journal: lj3

      Reading through chapter six brought to the front of my mind the positive aspects of social media and networking that I had lost sight of due to the often overwhelming negatives. Social media was not created to be used nefariously, it was created to give people a way to connect regardless of geographic location both professionally and personally. Professional apps and websites like Linkden provide a platform for individuals to post resumes with direct contact to references, follow and interact with professional peers, give employers a way to reach out to or vet potential candidates for jobs, and give individuals the chance to explore dream jobs. Personal apps and websites like Instagram, Snapchat, Discord, and Reddit allow people to connect with others who would not otherwise fall in their social circle; it also allows people like closeted LGBTQ+ members communicate with others like them if they are not safe in their in person community. Obviously negatives do still exist, algorithms make connections from the smallest bits of information we provide and owners of these apps and websites can violate a users privacy. Those same algorithms can be used to sell that information to third parties and compromise a persons accounts and privacy, and there is a never ending stream of “trolls” and generally unruly people. Despite these things I believe social media can be a good tool when used responsibly, and that it can be infinitely helpful so long as the user remains aware of themselves and the information they share. 

     I think it can be very easy to fall into the negatives of social media but it is also important to remember the positives, many LGBTQ+ members I know and have interacted with would not have the confidence they do today without these apps. From a negative standpoint, yes, these same apps do also have trolls and creeps who are responsible for their own actions and who like to come after these same people for who they are and/or who they love, but the support communities are there and they are extremely important. As with all things, balance and responsibility are necessary when using social media and networks. 



Lipschultz, J. H. (2021). Social Media Communication: Concepts, practices, data, Law and Ethics. Routledge.

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