A Friend is a Friend, Not Just a Follow.

A friend is defined as "a person attached to another by feelings of affection," "a person who gives assistance," and "a person who is on good terms with one another; a person who is not hostile." Yet, there's something missing from the relationship between online friends. From ushering up the confidence to actually ask them to sharing quality time to get to know that individual, there's a certain level of respect that goes into a traditional friendship. This tends to be missing from relationships formed over social media.

"If we are to live together in peace, we must come to know each other better" - Lyndon B. Johnson

With a simple click a tie is formed, yet the two are practically strangers - making it so much easier to type and post without thinking. Most people wouldn't intentionally harm their friends, while others have no problem causing harm online. Even though people have the right to free speech, it shouldn't come at the cost of others.

There are much simpler softer responses to someone's content, all they have to do is scroll past it. Instead we see people who rashly voice their harsh opinions online.

This often manifests itself in the form of self-harm or suicidal behaviors. In fact, those under the age of 25 who get cyberbullied, "are more than twice as likely to self-harm and enact suicidal behavior," according to a study done by Swansea University.

"A friend is one of the nicest things you can have and one of the best things you can be" - Winnie the Pooh

The thing about being negative is that it's completely unnecessary. In the same amount of time it took to ruin somebody's day, they could have made the other person's day or found content elsewhere that would make their own day.

So, when people click "add friend" or "follow," it should be respected the same way an in-person friendship would.

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Listen to this week's #GoingViral episode for a similar message!