The Dark Side of YouTube?

YouTube has made waves in the new media circles that it’s hard to ignore its significance in its subscribers’ lives. Being a member of that community, I had witnessed how people can encourage each other, find friends, or, when one is unfortunate enough to experience its flipside, gain detractors and even reputation destroyers.

Because of the freewheeling nature of YouTube’s massive community, policing it had been rather difficult. Thus, some members have been victims of abuse from other members, and there was a spate of account closures. These shutdowns had caused much grief to some members, like Mr. Pregnant, who publicly expressed his grief by crying in a video, lamenting his loss.

There are days when, as a user, I had wished I were a dictator of sorts, so people won’t call on the First Amendment (Right to Free Speech) just so they could abuse another’s religion.

Some people want to express their faith, and yet are met with people who invade their comment boxes with language that leaves the user with no other label for it but verbal abuse. These people who abuse others’ right to free speech are the ones who call on that exact same law.

And yet, for all its flaws, YouTube has to be credited with its innovations. Now, a user can choose to turn off comments. He or she can also keep videos in private, to be shared with others only upon invitation. One can also delete the abusive comments, and there is a rating system for the comments. There is also an option for spam removal, and you can flag your abusers as spammers, or for abuse.

It still amazes me that stars were born from YouTube videos. From singer Esmee Denters, who has guested on Oprah, to Mia Rose, LonelyGirl15, Chris Crocker, and other personalities who have been launched to stardom through YouTube. This tells a person of how user-generated content could be used as a jump off point for greater feats, like advertising, or even record, TV, and movie deals.

But what is most amazing is not the fame, notoriety, or instant stardom gained on YouTube. What is most amazing is the community that is formed among users. Personally, I had been able to gather great friends there. But I also observed that other people were able to solicit the support of other users for their causes, and build for themselves friendships that last beyond the LCD screen. Some have dealt through death, heartache, and other losses with the support of other YouTubers. One girl added YouTube to her therapy repertoire.

Despite the scathing comments from lower lifeforms, and other such cruelties, the overwhelming good will from the YouTube community is one reason why YouTubers keep coming back for more.