I was lucky enough (some may have other opinions) to grow up in a constantly connected generation. From the time I got my first phone, a Juke embarrassingly enough, social media has played a huge role in my life, specifically because now as a public relations major in college, I need it. However, I didn’t realize how much social media can bring people together until this past summer as I watched something so tragic create a level of solidarity and love like no other.
Days after I arrived to study abroad in London, there was a terrorist attack in Manchester at the Ariana Grande concert. Within minutes, family and friends were reaching out on all forms of social media to make sure that I was okay. On Facebook, I could even mark myself safe with my location to all of my followers, a feature that put my mother at ease. In the hours that followed, social media was flooding with updates and support, many offered their homes for shelter during the panic and urged others to share their tweets for help.
Anyone needing a lift/place to stay from the Manchester Arena, tweet #roomformanchester Retweet and get this trending to help.
— Cal (@Panayisalad) May 22, 2017
It became especially clear to me that the world was going to stand together more than ever after a day fueled by hatred during the #OneLoveManchester benefit concert. Social media coverage globally aided in spreading awareness and raising millions for victims and their families. Thanks to live streaming, everyone, myself included from just a few hours away, could watch the love unfold.
In Manchester now, London today and always in our country: We stand together & united against those who seek to divide us #OneLoveManchester pic.twitter.com/HMmb5D8l9b
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) June 4, 2017
This is only one example of the ways social media can bring people together, one that personally affected me as I had experienced the aftermath of it while alone abroad. The most important takeaway? Social media can spread hope to millions and it allows people to be a part of something bigger, especially when others may need it the most.