Social Media: The Modern Day Podium | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Social Media: The Modern Day Podium

Because social media is not just a platform, but a declaration to those finding their voice.

283
Social Media: The Modern Day Podium
@SylviaStahlPhoto

I remember scrolling through Twitter one day and reading a post regarding older teachers interacting with technology. It went something like... 'Teachers can have Ph.D. in various subjects, but when it comes to working a projector, they're totally lost.'

Those teachers this post was referring to are ones that sit and speak to their class, spouting off statements like 'you all are too young for this, but...' and 'when I was your age, we did this instead...'. Yet, nowadays it very well seems as if those specific teachers and other older adults, have begun to miss out on another way humans can communicate their ideas, rather than standing before a lecture hall or seated before a podium.

The majority of today's generation in the various first world countries grew up with technology at their fingertips. So it is no wonder that when they sat down to write a paper or finish a math problem, they used a computer as their dictionary and a calculator as their problem solver.

Today's generation of pre-teens, teens, and even young adults in high school, college and just now entering the workforce have begun to grow impatient. Maybe it was somewhere near the 90-second rice or having access to high-speed internet, yet either way, these upcoming and maturing children and adults have formed their very own impatient universe.

Though access to such technology has constructed a very large wall between many young adults and their older, respected elders, it seems as if this exact gap has allowed for these citizens to grow and mature in an almost unheard of way; one that is neither wrong nor right but remarkably and uniquely their own.

However, this specific impatient attitude has fostered a unique way to protest. With the rise in activism and the ever-growing social media platforms throughout the internet, young adults and teenagers no longer have to just voice their opinion to the community around them, praying to be heard, but are screaming from the keys of their iPhones and the filters on their Snapchat videos, spreading their words like fire over the internet. This specific activism allows for a hashtag to become a movement and a color to become a symbol - something no one could have even dreamt of 20 years ago.

Even though many others have valid arguments that are against the overwhelming and sometimes intoxicating world that is the internet, the uprising in activism is something that would cease to exist without this specific realm. With high schoolers being able to speak out on gun control, while starting a movement on Facebook, and women everywhere getting to raise their voice over that of their oppressors with one motivational hashtag, the use of social media and the internet is a force to be reckoned with.

This force not only lets the activists speak their mind, but also find a whole other supportive community entirely. These movements build rapidly faster with the help of the internet, social media, and various smart phone apps. This monumental type of support gathers the whole world in unison by one simple click of a 'like' or a 'repost'. These young individuals are speaking their powerful mind, behind a small screen, showcasing how large of a force they are to be reckoned with... Especially while the whole world and beyond is watching them.





Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

15 Times Michael Scott's Life Was Worse Than Your Life

Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

1485
Michael Scott
NBC

Most of the time, the world's (self-proclaimed) greatest boss is just that, the greatest. I mean, come on, he's Michael Freakin' Scott after all! But every once in a while, his life hits a bit of a speed bump. (or he actually hits Meredith...) So if you personally are struggling through a hard time, you know what they say: misery loves company! Here are 15 times Michael Scott's life was worse than your life:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

16322
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

3421
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments