Social media has changed the way people communicate with each other and, in turn, has affected our ability to empathize in both negative and positive ways. One of the most harmful consequences is the increase in cyberbullying. Another negative issue has been the tendency for trolling in the comments sections of websites, chat rooms and other online communication venues. Despite this, social media has had constructive consequences, such as allowing family and friends to keep in touch on a regular basis. Thanks to social media, many people find support and resources that help them when they are going through difficult times or experiencing tragedies such as death and illness. Overall, social media is a new and exciting world that changes as it grows, and it will be up to society to use it forever. A lack of empathy is seen in the growing trend of cyberbullying. “Jumping off the GW bridge, sorry.” This was the last status update Tyler Clementi ever posted on his Facebook page before leaping to his death from the George Washington Bridge in New York City. About a month before his suicide, Tyler, who was gay, had started his freshman year at Rutgers University and found himself housed with a roommate who was uncomfortable with those who were open about their homosexuality. Unbeknownst to Tyler, his roommate began electronically spying on him and eventually recorded him kissing a man. The roommate then posted the video to YouTube and Tyler's fateful and heartbreaking Facebook (Cloud) status would soon follow. The combination of the housemates' inability to empathize with Tyler's lifestyle and the ease of communicating with a large audience online, proved to be a deadly combination. Unfortunately, stories like Tyler's have become more common... middle of paper... positive outcomes resulting from the rise of social media along with numerous instances of strangers helping others in times of need. As more and more people use online communication, empathy will play an important role in deciding whether it does more harm or more good to society. Works Cited Billitteri, Thomas J. “Preventing Bullying.” Researcher CQ 10 December 2010: 1013-36. Network. 23Oct. 2013.---, Thomas J. "Cyberbullying." CQ Researcher May 2, 2008: 385-408. Network. October 23, 2013.Cloud, John. “Died of bullying?” Time 176.16 (2010): 60-63. Academic research completed.Web. October 23, 2013. Dellorto, Danielle. “Burned Iraqi Boys Stand Out 6 Years Later.” CNN March 21, 2013. Web.December 11, 2013 stopbullying.gov. US Department of Health and Human Services. Network. October 23, 2013Wang, Shirley S. “Could Those Hours Online Make Kids Nicer?” Wall Street Journal, August 16, 2011. Web. December 11. 2013.