Before I get started, I just want to clarify, I love the internet.

This blog isn’t to put anyone off social media use, in fact first, I want to start with an example of how great it can be.

I recently shared a post about the ‘Building modern men‘ campaign, which was a month long focus by  The Huffington post, aiming to ‘kick-start’ conversations around male issues. With mental health and suicide becoming an epidemic for men, they provided snapshots of what life is like for the modern man, including issues surrounding male body image and the difficulty in expressing emotion,and asking for help.

The Office of National Statistics reported in 2014 that 75% of all suicides in the UK were undertaken by men, thus why this campaign is SO important.

For me, this was an instant share. I’ve seen first hand the pressures men in society face, the crippling anxiety that can take over a young mans life when they don’t know how to talk about things, and it sucks not being able to help them realise that this is normal, it is OK not to feel OK. So If I could help spread this campaign, promote this problem, even with just a share or a like, then I would, it would be a start.

This video was shared on Facebook during the campaign with the hashtag ‘BoysDoCry’.

 
Its a simple video of well known men discussing when they last cried. It may sound basic, but it worked, it got people talking. The video currently has over 43,000 shares on Facebook alone, and thousands of re-tweets and likes on Twitter. The hashtag is spreading daily, with many more organisations now getting involved to help promote the campaign, creating their own videos and posts and getting the message out there.

By sharing an article on Facebook, or re-tweeting an initiative on Twitter, you are helping to promote issues that may not get so much  attention in main stream media, and just because they aren’t in the main stream media it doesn’t mean they aren’t important. They are.

The internet gives anyone the opportunity to have their say, to get their opinions out there, to talk about issues they believe are IMPORTANT.  And that is why I love the internet. YOU get the opportunity to really have an impact.

Don’t waste your opportunity. If you see something you feel passionate about on Facebook, Share it.  If you see someone trying to gain recognition of an issue on Twitter and you agree, Re-tweet it.

WE have the chance to make a change, don’t waste it.