Social media inspires millennials to take action

Maria Serrano/ Contributing Writer

Some of the worst atrocities have been happening in our world lately. In the past several weeks, Texas and Florida have been torn apart by hurricanes, Puerto Rico has become a flooded island, Mexico has been hit by a catastrophic earthquake, and Las Vegas has been brutalized by the shooting that left our hearts broken.

As millennials, we are often characterized as lazy, purposeless individuals. However, our sense of duty is truly invigorating. Through the use and power of social media, we have been more present in actively helping others. Millennials run social media and are constantly inspired by it, and as a result, they have created a movement to help those in need.

They have become the driving force for taking action, particularly when it comes to the issue of sending financial help.

“83 percent of millennials have made a financial gift to an organization — they are the most generous, educated and civic-minded generation since the Greatest Generation” according to Switch and Shift.

Our collective desire to change the world is remarkably unique. Whether it be through personal motivations, humanitarian work or financial aid, giving back is our top priority and recognizing this is truly humbling.

It’s our strong emotions and the impact that social media has in creating a direct pipeline to our feelings. Oftentimes in a particular, unprecedented way.

“Daniel Gardner, who teaches communications at Mississippi State, says that while most people in the rural South shake their heads over the troubles and move on, the millennials he teaches are different: With instantaneous communication via social media, they are ‘easily shaken emotionally, and prone to be more naive and gullible,’” according to USA Today.

Our perception of the world is very different from our parents and grandparents — altogether, we are very diverse. We put our soul into devastating affairs and are deeply inspired to protect the vulnerable. Most people don’t think it, but we are a caring and passionate generation. Moreover, we are simply a misunderstood generation.

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Photo taken from Flickr.