It’s easy to look at social media and only see attention-hungry girls hounding for likes and disturbing pages like “Cutest Teens 2013” where cyberbullying runs rampant. It’s true that many adolescents use social media in this individualistic culture to put others down or build themselves up. Recent studies have shown a correlation between the amount of time you spend on Facebook and the level of depression you find yourself in, and the outcomes aren’t looking favorably on social networking sites.

Despite the negativity displayed, social media made substantial advancements, too. Not only did the internet make it easier than ever to keep in touch, but it also made it easier to reach out and touch the lives of others in incredible ways. Take Colin Cunningham for example.

Ten-year-old Cunningham is a young, thoughtful boy who loves Nintendo 3DS, Pokémon and Doctor Who; he doesn’t complain about being picked on. He has high end autism, which makes it hard for him to make friends. A few hours after a sad conversation about Cunningham’s upcoming birthday, his mother created a Facebook page called “Happy Birthday Colin” and dedicated this as the description: “I am Colin’s mom, I created this page for my amazing, wonderful, challenging son who is about to turn 11 on March 9th. Because of Colin’s disabilities, social skills are not easy for him, and he often acts out in school, and the other kids don’t like him. So when I asked him if he wanted a party for his birthday, he said there wasn’t a point because he has no friends. He eats lunch alone in the office everyday because no one will let him sit with them, and rather than force someone to be unhappy with his presence, he sits alone in the office. So I thought, if I could create a page where people could send him positive thoughts and encouraging words, that would be better than any birthday party. Please join me in making my very original son feel special on his day.”

As of March 4, just 30 days after it was posted, the page had reached 2,084,044 likes. Thousands of people from all around the globe have sent Cunningham and his family virtual birthday wishes and many have gone as far as to send the Cunningham’s physical presents or cards in the mail.

Cunningham still doesn’t know about the surprise awaiting him. His family is planning on revealing the Facebook page to him on his birthday in March.

If you’d like to send Cunningham a present or birthday wishes, his address is PO box 756, Richland, MI 49083-0756, and the page can be found here.

Another recent Facebook feature can be found in their addition of custom gender options. The background of this can be found here. Basically, Facebook finally acknowledged non-binary genders and now offers options such as “agender” and “bigender” and offers options for transgender/transsexual individuals. Facebook also offers custom pronouns and the option to not have your gender revealed at all. This is revolutionary for a company as big as Facebook; it is currently the first and only streamline social media site to offer such gender choices. Many transgender and non-binary have written Facebook in appreciation for the ability to confidently express themselves on their online profiles.

Facebook isn’t the only social media website to be applauded for its community and advancements, though. YouTube is one of the shining examples of the best online communities in the world and can often shine like a ray of hope for the future of the internet. Although many think this video sharing site is only filled with funny cat videos and music, there is so much more. YouTubers make up an entire unique community. Vloggers like John Green, Charlie McDonnell and Rose Ellen Dix are the humanitarians of the internet. Not only are they funny, personable and helpful, they create and connect with their viewers in ways previously unseen. They offer advice on life, raise awareness  and use their YouTube influence to donate to charities all around the world. One example is Red Nose Day, a British day of donations and charities. Several YouTube stars set up live feeds on their pages and stayed on camera for hours to raise money. When transgender teen CeCe McDonald was wrongfully arrested on account of murder, dozens of YouTube vloggers united to help her out. They were outraged that McDonald, who states that she was defending herself from an outright racist and transphobic attack, was being incarcerated in a men’s prison for 41 months. You can watch the video here.

The “VlogBrothers” Hank and John Green have a special place on YouTube. They both run series of humorous and educational videos such as “Crash Course US History” and “Crash Course Chemistry.” Now these videos are being shown in hundreds of classrooms world wide, including here at ACHS. The Green brothers are professed philanthropists, striving to make the world a safer, better educated and more open minded place for everyone.

While it is easy to just focus on the negativity on the internet, the pointless hours wasted staring at screen and the way we forgo human interactions for our buddy the internet, remember these people. Sometimes, social media is more sunshine than rain clouds.