Parents always said "don't talk to strangers on the Internet." This is something that millennials have heard ever since their parents powered on their Windows 98 desktop computers back in elementary school. This statement no longer holds as strong of a power as it once did. Yes, exposing yourself on the Internet is not entirely safe but now with social media it is a lot safer to do and sometimes, the most amazing experiences can come out of it.
Message boards, Twitter hashtags, and Tumblr are just a few of many technological ways that people can interact with others on the Internet who have similar interests with other people. One day, I decided to do this. On my Twitter, I started to follow people who like the same television shows and video games that I do. One fortunate day, I encountered a person who is only a few years younger than I am. From that, a friendship blossomed and since then, I have felt no discomfort sharing this interest with them and others in the "fandom."
Through this “fandom” that is focused around a television show I watch, I met my friend. Their name is M. M and I have been friends for almost a year now and we have conversations almost daily. We have exchanged many inside jokes and have created a friendship all because of our magical devices called laptops. We have made other friends as well and have created a group chat where my friends and I can all talk about all of our interests, make jokes, and feel safe and happy while discussing the television shows, music, and other interests that we all care about so dearly.
This February, M came to New York City. Living only ten miles from there, I made an effort to go meet them in person. M lives on the West Coast and can only come to New York once a year for business reasons. I did not want to pass up the opportunity of meeting somebody that is so important to me.
Our initial meeting in person was surreal. It was crazy to me that I was staring at the same person who I have only seen pop up on my iPhone screen over the past year. We only were able to spend two days together and the entire time felt like I have done it with them before. Our interests bonded us together over a long period of time that eventually brought us to this physical meeting.
If I were to say to some of my friends “oh, my friend M from Twitter…” they would look at me like I was crazy. Talking to somebody on the Internet who I have not met in person before is typically seen as odd amongst people who do not frequent “fandom” message boards and social media accounts. Although these encounters happened more often than I would have hoped, I still talked to these people. One may ask why I kept the conversation with M and the rest of my group chat going. The reason is that I eventually got to know these people like I would a person in real life. Through video chatting, I learned that these people are real. I learned their basic interests, where they are from, and other information like I would learn from a friend I would meet at school or at work. To me, the Internet is another place where, if done safely and smart, can also lead to the same wholesome, loving friendships that people experience in the physical world.
Thanks to the Internet and not completely listening to my parents advice from the year 2000, I have built an amazing friendship with this person. If you are smart, safe, friends made online can not only become loved and cherished but can also bring you an environment where you can talk to somebody who loves a show, band, or any interest as much as you do.
