I never participate in them. Primarily because it's just not my thing, but also because for many challenges, most people are unaware of the real purpose or the true origination of the challenge. They hop on the bandwagon, albeit with good intentions.
Although I was "nominated" many times for the most recent #ChallengeAccepted chain, the real context of the challenge was never explained. And that is okay, because I'm sure the people who nominated me did not have the challenge explained to them properly either.
A very good friend of mine asked me what the challenge was all about, and I had no idea, so I had to search online for answers.
It's like memes - so many people grab screenshots or photos of others, and turn them into memes, not realizing there are real people behind the memes. They have real feelings, and such memes could do a lot of harm. A recent local meme has been floating around inaccurately portraying a local business that I've been to many times before.
It has been shared many, many times, and someone in the photo had to speak out and explain the situation to prevent further cyber bullying.
Social media can be a powerful vessel - igniting change, and bringing awareness, but it can also be a dangerous one, especially when spreading misinformation.
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