MySpace is a powerful online
community which can take members virtually anywhere they want to go. MySpace
was designed to allow members the opportunity to meet friends, reconnect with
old friends, network and even meet potential romantic partners. MySpace may
have started as a small project but has ballooned into a huge community with
members from around the world. These members represent a variety of different
races, regions, sexual orientations and occupations and can lead to all of the
members learning so much more about the world around them.
Friends from Around the
World on MySpace
MySpace is an expansive
community and there are members from all over the world. This gives members the
ability to meet and connect with members from different countries. Although
these friendships may remain online and never turn into face to face meetings
they can give an individual a greater understanding of the world around them.
Through MySpace friendships with members from other countries, individuals can
learn about the struggles experienced in other countries as well as the
benefits of living in other countries.
Learn about Different
Cultures on MySpace
Many people were raised with
limited knowledge of other cultures. They may have had parents who were
different races or another relative who was a different race or religion but
for the most part they might have only learned in depth about a handful of
other religions and cultures while they were growing up. This does not
necessarily foster hate but it can lead to problems which relate to ignorance.
Members of MySpace come in
contact with those of other races, religions and cultures all the time. In fact
MySpace members may spend a great deal of time getting to know another member
before they even know the race, religion or ethnicity of the other individual.
This ability to get to know each other first and then learn more about cultural
backgrounds can lead to more tolerance of others.
Making Connections Offline
We have already discussed
how MySpace can help members to make friends around the world and learn more
about different cultures but MySpace doesn’t have to take you miles and miles
away. The fact that there are MySpace members around the world may give you the
opportunity to make friends in other countries but it also means you have the
opportunity to make new friends in your geographic area. Even those people who
live in the smallest towns may find there are other MySpace members who live in
their town. Getting to know these members creates the opportunity for MySpace
members to take their online friendships offline and meet in person.
Meeting online friends in
person can be a wonderful experience which can give the members the opportunity
to really get to know each other better. Some members of MySpace may have
joined the community just to speak to others online and may have no desire to
meet others offline but for some, the opportunity to meet others offline after
fostering an online relationship may be very appealing.
However, those who plan
to meet online friends in person should exercise a certain amount of caution.
Initial meetings should take place in a busy, public location that is well lit
as opposed to a secluded location. Additionally, those who are meeting an
online friend for the first time might bring along another trusted friend for
security.
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