I spend a lot of time on social media. In particular, I find YouTube to be my go to choice and with that, I have come across many videos that are inspiring or challenging.

Dolan Twins is a YouTube channel by Ethan and Grayson Dolan. Their first video The Blender Challenge was uploaded on the 13th of July 2014. From then on, they uploaded a video every Tuesday. But on October 9 2019, things changed when they uploaded It’s Time To Move On. In the hour long video, they explained that they would no longer be uploading weekly. Whilst this may sound simple, it was challenging for the brothers. Ethan (Dolan Twins 2019)  says ‘not being able to recover from certain things I’m going through because I’m posting has made me want to quit so many times.’ Watching this video was challenging for myself because it brings light to the issue of social media requiring consistency in order to remain relevant despite the effects this may have on one’s mental health. With a following of more than 10 million, in the brother’s eyes there was pressure to upload in order to not let down their fans. What I see from this is that because the internet is always on, there is always someone expecting an update from someone; whether that be a video or an instagram post or story. This however, gives those who have pursued a career in the limelight an unfair duty to be online everyday.

Thankfully, the brothers have taken a step forward in bettering their mental health. Now their videos are serial and uploaded whenever they see fit. On the 18th of February 2020 they uploaded a 1.5 hour documentary Losing a Best Friend. The documentary was made as a tribute to their father who passed away in 2019. The documentary was inspiring in that it revealed the strength of their father to continue looking on the bright side despite his worsening condition. Along with the documentary, the brothers announced the creation of Love From Sean; a foundation to help out a range of cancer charities. Watching this documentary reminded me of the power social media has to make a positive change in this world.

References:

Dolan Twins 2019, It’s Time To Move On, YouTube, 9 October, Dolan Twins, viewed 16 March 2020, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2LkO0IsR5A>.

Dolan Twins 2020, Losing a Best Friend, YouTube, 18 February, Dolan Twins, viewed 16 March 2020, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxvyC3BNzIo>.