How Impactful Are Internet Friends To Teens?

There's nothing wrong with making friends. Even your parents encourage it. Personally, I've found some great friends through multiple social media apps. From Kik, to Tumblr, to even Wattpad, I've met friends across the country, and in a few cases, even around the world. When social media brings us all together, you can finally realize that the world IS as small as you think.

What types of social media do you use? Could you please list a few if you do?

“I use a lot of the “mainstream social media,” like Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter.”

How much time do you spend online on these apps?

I’d say maybe two to three hours a day. Not the best, I know.

What are some of your strongest interests that implore you to blog about it on social media? Definitely my love for photography. It’s something that keeps me motivated and makes me excited about going to new places and trying different things, despite my anxiety.

Would you agree these interests have attracted people who relate?

Yes! I have some internet friends because of my photography, as well as some real life. It’s a fun topic to discuss as well in a new setting.

Do any of these people stick around and form a long term friendship with you?

Some do, some don’t. We’re all busy people at the end of the day, students caught up in work and life. Those that do form long lasting friendships with me!

How many times a week do you talk to these friends? Do you enjoy their company?

When I first met my friends, it would be four hours every single day, chatting about nonsense and our daily activities. Now that we’ve gotten older and busier, I’m lucky if I can catch them once or twice a week. I do love their company, even if it’s just for a few minutes! They’re my friends, of course.

Have you ever felt safe enough with your online friends to trust them with a personal secret? Like talking about your difficulties at home, with your parents, friends, or even school?

Yes. These people, at the end of the day, don’t and won’t know more about you unless you share. There are of course restrictions, like I wouldn’t give them my social security number, but I trust them a lot.

Overall, how do you feel about your online social experience?

Good! I was a lot more active back when I was younger, but I’m pretty happy with the bonds that I’ve made.

Coincidentally enough, I was able to ask some of my internet friends for their insight on cyber friendships. Sam, who I’ve been chatting with on Wattpad for about a year, had this to say.

I know that we first started talking on Wattpad, but what other types of social media do you use?

I also use Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter, Snapchat, Kik,and Youtube, if that counts.

Could you estimate how much time you spend online on these apps?

Overall, I'd say I spend about five hours on them collectively, since I go on them throughout the school day, and I'm on quite a bit once I get home.

What are some of your strongest interests that implore you to blog about it on social media?

Some of my strongest interests would be superhero movies in general, and various musicians. I feel the need to blog about them because it gives off the feeling of being part of a larger community, and that in itself lends a feeling of acceptance and inclusion to a larger base. It gives people something in common, which in turn has the power to connect users across the globe.

Besides the obvious discourse with certain topics, would you agree these interests have attracted people who relate?

Without a doubt. It's human nature to be attracted to similar likes of another person, whether it's online or in person. Human beings long for that sense of connection and companionship.

With the people who do end up sharing the same ‘fandoms’ and interests as you, do you tend to regularly talk with them again and again and eventually form a kind of friendship with them?

I tend to talk with fewer people than I ever expected. It's not like I expected to instantly click and connect with every member of a fandom, because disagreements happen, people may not like your opinion on some things, and that's to be expected. Fandoms aren't hive minds, and not everyone has to agree. But the friends I have made are the ones who can politely disagree, or can respectfully state their own opinions, and that gives off the air of easy friendship. It makes them more likable to talk with, and you won't feel attacked.

I’ve seen you write personal chapters about yourself, and even send in face reveals on Wattpad. How is it that you feel that safe in sharing that type of information with your readers all the time? When is there ever any secrecy with what you post online?

I feel safe in posting those kinds of things because I surround myself with people I've grown to trust through talking with them privately and getting to know them. Of course, there's always the chance of someone who you don't know seeing the photos and intimate parts of the life updates, and there's always the chance for a negative comment. But that's what block and delete buttons are for. The secrecy in what I post comes with my last name, my address, and my town. I'm very careful not to divulge that online, even though my face is on the internet. There's only so much you can do with a picture of someone.

Is there ever a time you mention your online friends to your real life friends/family? How do they respond to the life you live online?

I mention my online friends to my family every so often. And they don't mind one bit. My mother used to be part of an online forum for writers, called AbsoluteWrite, and she made tons of online friends from all over the world. Even some of her Facebook friends are from other countries. Neither of my parents worry about my life online, but they do remind me, as all parents do, to be careful with what I share, and who I share it with. They've always been like that, and it's easy to understand why.

Overall, how do you feel about your online social experience?

Overall, my online social experience has been a pleasant one. Have there been mean comments and questionable bits on content on various platforms? Absolutely. But it's my job to control what I see, and what I want others to see. And by putting myself out there online, I've been able to explore parts of my personality, likes, dislikes, and so much more, all in an effort to figure who I am offline.

Lastly, I spoke with Shane, another a friend of mine on Wattpad.

I know that we first started talking on Wattpad, but what other types of social media do you use?

My most frequently used apps are: Wattpad and Messenger. I do have Facebook, Tumblr, Deviant Art, Instagram, Kik, and Whatsapp as well. But just like I said earlier, the apps that I use the most are Wattpad and Messenger. Mainly because most of my online friends meet there to chat. I met my online friends on these apps too!

Could you estimate how much time you spend online on these apps?

To be honest with you, I always invest half of my time online. It even reached up to the point where I don't sleep anymore( timezones sucks ). If I were to give an exact estimation, 6 hours. 6 hours is my average schedule when it comes to using apps.

What are some of your strongest interests that implore you to blog about it on social media?

The similarities between me and other people. Nothing bad will happen if I share my thoughts with others who can relate to, right?

Besides the obvious discourse with certain topics, would you agree these interests have attracted people who relate?

Of course I do agree. One can stand with their own opinion and interest against the people who are against it. It is so much better if there are more people who stand strong with their opinion.

With the people who do end up sharing the same ‘fandoms’ and interests as you, do you tend to regularly talk with them again and again and eventually form a kind of friendship with them?

This is where the " actual " development takes place. Of course, people tend to be close to someone who shares the same interests. It's very obvious. I mean, if I were to choose between a fandom that I'm familiar with, but I do not know any people in it yet versus fandom where i'm not familiar with, but I know some people who are a part of that fandom, I would choose the fandom where I'm familiar with the most. I may not have any friends in certain fandoms, but I can make one with my knowledge towards what I like. It's easy for me to adjust and blend in with something that I love. When I first joined the Marvel fandom, there were some friendly people who approached me first and we started to chat and eventually it lead to a friendship full of trust. Well not entirely, but still. Those people who approached me first are the ones I sacrifice my sleep to. I mean, it's all worth it. Talking with someone who has same interests as you is worth the sacrifice.

I’ve seen you write personal chapters about yourself. How is it that you feel that safe in sharing that type of information with your readers all the time? When is there ever any secrecy with what you post online?

Because I feel like I can trust people online rather than the real ones. I don't know why but I tend to share information and feelings with someone that I don't really know at all . It's just like that, really. There are only few people who actually understand me but there are many online users who share the same experience as mine. So why not share some of my thoughts? But then, there's a barrier or something that stops us from spreading too much information. We always have to be careful online no matter what. Sharing little information here and there is fine but spreading personal informations is a big no no. I can share my thoughts about the Captain Marvel trailer, but I can't share my first and last name along with my age and where I live.

Is there ever a time you mention your online friends to your real life friends/family? How do they respond to the life you live online?

Oh, my family actually know some of my online friends. Well, because sometimes they call me through Kik or Whatsapp, and my parents tend to ask who are they and I just simply reply, " an online friend who is dear to me. " Everytime they call me, my family allows me to have my " alone " time.

About my friends in real life.. They are skeptical about it. All because we converse through phones rather than face to face. One of my classmates asked me how I can trust someone that I haven't met yet. I don't know why, but I feel a much stronger connection to my online friends rather than my real ones. So I tend to ignore them and allow them to judge me whenever they want, unless they cross a certain line.

Overall, how do you feel about your online social experience?

For me, it's really fun. Simple as that. One cannot say that they enjoyed an online experience if they haven't experienced it yet. I met so many friends that I trust the most on an online app and I can assure you that I became a better person when I started to make friends with the people online. That's just me though. Some are unfortunate because instead of having friends, they have enemies.

We ALL interact with someone online, one way or another. Through online service operators, or even on the phone. It’s even more effective when you can chat one one one with people through private messages, or even as an entire group to discuss your favorite fandoms. We’ve all got our cliques in real life, and there’s nothing stopping this inevitable tech age from making us create new squads online.

Social media is truly bringing the world together, for good and for worse. We can contact people faster this way, and it really gives us a sense for how small our world really is. But what challenges can such vast technology give?