Technology’s double-edged sword: social media’s role in civil unrest for the queer community

In today's digital age, social media has become an essential tool for the queer community, offering both opportunities and risks. Personally, social media helped me find my queer community in Kenya, showing me that it was okay to be myself. However, it also exposed me to dangers, where privacy and safety are never guaranteed. This brings us to the question: is technology here to help or hurt us? Let’s explore the advantages and disadvantages of social media for the queer community.

Advantages of Social Media:

1. Community Building

- Social media helps queer individuals, especially those in hostile environments, find and connect with others who share similar experiences.

- It offers a sense of belonging and validation, showing users that they are not alone, even in conservative societies like Kenya.

2. Empowerment and Visibility

- Seeing openly queer individuals online provides confidence and courage for others to embrace their identities.

- Social media enables visibility for people who may feel isolated in their local communities.

3. Activism and Advocacy

- Platforms like Facebook, X and Instagram serve as tools for raising awareness, organizing protests, and sharing resources for the queer community.

- Fundraising for individuals in need, such as those facing homelessness or persecution, is made easier and faster through social media.

4. Access to Opportunities

- Social media opens up avenues for queer individuals to find work, volunteer positions, and networking opportunities that are inclusive of their identities.

- Professional and personal growth opportunities are often shared within queer circles on these platforms.

5. Educational Resources

- Social media provides a space for sharing information on LGBTQ+ history, health, and rights, allowing individuals to make informed decisions and advocate for themselves and others.

The Dark Side of Social Media: The Dangers:

1. Harassment and Cyberbullying

- The anonymity of social media allows people to launch abusive attacks, especially targeting queer individuals, with little to no accountability.

- Queer users are vulnerable to threats and harassment, which can lead to real-life dangers, particularly in conservative societies.

2. Privacy and Security Risks

- Even with security measures in place, personal safety on social media is never fully guaranteed, as malicious individuals may still find ways to exploit vulnerabilities.

- Being openly queer online can make one a target for discrimination or worse, depending on the sociopolitical climate.

3. Division within Communities

- While social media brings people together, it can also create divisions. Different groups within the queer community may judge or isolate others based on identity, lifestyle, or political views.

- Online cliques can undermine the sense of unity and inclusivity that social media was meant to foster.

4. Unhealthy Comparisons and Pressure

- The constant exposure to curated, filtered posts of others’ lives can lead to feelings of inadequacy or failure.

- Queer individuals may feel pressured to meet certain standards or live up to ideals, further exacerbating feelings of isolation.

5. Emotional Toll

- Constant engagement with social media can take a mental toll, especially when faced with online abuse or unrealistic expectations.

- The division and hostility seen on platforms can leave users emotionally drained and disconnected from their real-world support systems.

Conclusion: A Tool for Both Good and Harm

Ultimately, social media is a tool that can either build or break us. It helped me find my community in Kenya, but it has also exposed me to risks I must always be mindful of. Like any tool, its impact depends on how we use it. Will we use social media to empower, unite, and advocate for the queer community, or will we let it become a space that divides and harms us? The choice is ours, and we must navigate these platforms with care, responsibility, and awareness of their double-edged nature.