How Online Communities Teach Sympathy and Understanding POVS

Egypt Today

22-04-2025

One of the things I love doing in my spare time is watching YouTube. It doesn't matter what the content is, such as movie analysis, stand-up comedy, fashion, etc., but watching Reddit stories has taken up most of my time.
I spend all of my time watching the entirety of Smosh's Reddit stories, even the ones I've seen before, call me boring, I don't care. Brimmed with their humor and different but interesting takes, what I've learned from Smosh and other channels that do such things, like Two Hot Takes, is the importance of seeing things in a different light. I'm guilty of having my preconceived notions and biases when it comes to someone telling me a story and asking for a piece of advice, and as much as I like and attempt to be objective, sometimes I fall into the trap of siding with my friend and forming an allegiance.
What these Reddit stories and online communities exist on Facebook in the form of private groups, WhatsApp channels, or Twitter discussions on a phenomenon have taught me is:
A) See beyond the text.
B) Be aware of the language used in the post or how the person telling the story is using specific words.
C) Not everyone has the same thoughts as you.
So I'd like to share my opinion on how social media's online community can be beneficial and teach you something along the way.
So, based on my experience being chronically online, I found that despite being isolated in real life and feeling like we are not heard if we speak up about the problems we face to our trusted friends, we find solace with strangers. What I saw is people seeking unbiased, objective answers to their problems, without feeling shame or judgment. People are lured to using social media to air their problems or situations because of the anonymity provided to them; even if the problem seems small, it's about being supported, feeling seen, and seeing things clearly.
Another thing that I've learned along the way is how I jump the gun completely and rely on emotions only instead of seeing the full picture.
For example, watching these Reddit stories on Smosh or reading a member's post on a Facebook group about someone telling their story and instantly, i side with the original poster, as I let myself be in their shoes and see things from their point of view, I forget about the other side and dismiss how the words were used. What people online have taught me is to read between the lines, balance between emotions and facts, and always remember that to each story there's her side, his, and the truth, so I take a step back and try to listen and read more, instead of stating my opinion.
The more I read stories posted online and saw tweets on situations that people went through, seeing their words and feeling pierced my eyes and my heart, I became more sympathetic, less judgmental, and more open, we are all human, faults and all, to see people coming online to tell their tale and look for solutions instead of being a bystander, really made me more compassionate, eager to help, and be more kind.
Sure, social media has its flaws, but there's undeniable benefit and beauty to it. The community it provides for the lonely, the unheard, and the broken who seek help and compassion is truly remarkable. Whether it's a simple ask,l ike a woman asking which dress to wear when meeting her date, a girl trying to figure out which college she enrolls in, or a man bonding with other guys over their love for soccer or games that lead to years of friendship.
The right online community builds trust, transparency and teaches people.