Six Degrees, the first ever social media platform was created in 1997. It was a platform that allowed people to create a profile and communicate through a website. Social media allows worldwide access for cultural topics, providing an opportunity for cultural diversity to spread.
Through social media, communication has never been more efficient. High speed communication allows for people with different cultural backgrounds to convey cultural opinions. Social media connects people all around the world with viral posts, viral hashtags, through actions as simple as pressing send. Amplified ideas evoke positive controversy, where people listen to each other with little bias, in an environment that is accepting.
In 2007 there was the invention of a hashtag, allowing people to post and put tags at the bottom for different hashtags. This gives users the ability to search what they are interested in. For example if I was curious towards the BLM movement there are thousands of hashtags representing the topic of choice. The ability to narrow down the information you receive, allows you to reach out to accounts that share your common interests. Hashtags evolved into an efficient link for you to share your thoughts with the entire world, people who you would have never thought to reach out to ordinarly. This broadens the audience and brings in engaged members.
Engaging with audiences outside of our homes has changed our perspective on many cultures. When communicating with a stranger who’s cultural background differs from yours, you tend to respect their perspective, educating yourself through the lens of an outsider. Additionally, we can support/ learn through their experiences, furthermore realizing the similarities among cultures, shaping you as a better person and showing sympathy for others. With the education of people’s backgrounds you tend to change your outlook on society, you put yourself into other people’s shoes, asking questions and seeking answers.
“Social media platforms have allowed people of different backgrounds to reach out and share what they know, giving us a glimpse of the lives of people all around the world. By doing this, diversity and inclusion are promoted and celebrated. Social media has given us various platforms that enable us to be more vocal on important topics. When used wisely, this can lead to healthy discussions and positive solutions. Having diversity of thought allows for more inclusion when differences are seen and appreciated.”