Social Wellbeing Q1-Q3

Question #1. Are social media sites just opportunities for people to become, as Ronson says, “Unpaid shaming interns?” Share your thoughts.
In the most anonymous sense of social media, I agree that some people become "unpaid shaming interns." The wonder of anonymity on the internet, coupled with the detachment of not talking to a person face-to-face, is a deadly remedy for shame mongering. Still, it is too simplistic to say that social media sites are simply opportunities for this barbaric behavior. They can be used for a number of healthy social, professional, and educational purposes.

Question #2. What are some of the benefits of social media in terms of providing opportunities for the democratization of justice?
Some benefits of social media is that it gives the unnoticed individual a chance to be heard (this, of course, assumes that individuals have access to technology). Anyone can now be heard by simply placing a hashtag in a post that includes a popular topic or personality. In addition, social media offers the opportunity for people to band together easily for social causes. In high-profile examples, this has led to nationwide protests in a number of countries. One only has to think of the Arab Spring to remember the power of social media for mobilizing the masses.

Question #3. Are there ways of meeting “nice people like us” on social media? Or, is it a place that only offers opportunities for us to mutually approve of each other while demonizing someone else?
There are most definitely ways to meet nice people on social media, but this of course takes a cautionary eye to discern on which sites this is possible. For example, it would be foolish to think of finding a good friendship through a social media site known for harassing people for fun. There are groups within social media sites that are supportive of others who relate to their cause, including Facebook groups. Within one of these groups, it is possible to find support and even friendship.