In many parts of the world, students are finding that their lectures and social lives are over for the time being, and yet in some countries the lockdown restrictions are slowly easing. In between studying online, however, there is an opportunity for them to use social media apps such as Leepse to explore, meet new and likeminded people to share their ideas and creativity, as well as chat about their hopes and life experiences.
Gabriel Mulko, Chief Operating Officer and co-founder of social media community Leepse, explains that since campus lockdown, which began in March 2020 in many countries, everything that students used to do in the real world has moved more online than ever before. He finds that students are now spending up to 9 hours a day on their phones: “They have been using their phones and apps to replace every aspect of their lives, and even going to the gyms is being replaced by home training guided by fitness apps.”
Transforming lives
He adds: “It has been a significant game-changer when it comes to relationships. We went from having a tight circle of friends that were “given” to us through our childhood and schools. Now, you can make friends and date people completely outside of your inner circle and find likeminded people.” By meeting new people it’s possible to, in his words, “spice up your life and live new experiences.” He observes that branching out to meet new friends permits them to fulfil specific needs, interests and ambitions, such as connecting with people who also like video games, baseball or soccer.
Endless possibilities
“Spending an evening with a bunch of strangers will make your life more interesting, too. Everyone at Leepse has lived abroad for most of their lives, and we strongly feel the need to make new experiences through meeting new people; So we aspire to be the place where you can quit your routine to make your life more thrilling.” Meeting new people can also enable even students to gain the support they need at any point in their school, college or university lives.
Ford explains: “A red result will lead to the offer of an email, message or call and some one-to-one support and advice on how to access to mental health services if needed. The Facebook page is titled HUDS Uni – it’s OK to not be OK and a team of students will be recruited to help with the responses, which the university noted marked a valuable opportunity for them.”Matching people
Connecting people can also be achieved by using algorithms to match them against a range of criteria, including their interests. Matching people together can enable conversations and new opportunities for self-growth, widening horizons, health and wellbeing, etc. Mulko explains that everyone has “several aspects to our personalities, ever-changing tastes and our lifestyle changes drastically over time.” Also, as individuals, sometimes it’s hard to know what we as humans like, want and really need.
Mulko therefore believes it’s important to connect with people who inspire you, who care about you, and who want to help you to achieve your dreams no matter what they are.
Students can therefore use social media as a means of self-discovery, as a means of networking for a wide range of purposes, and during the pandemic it can enable them to continue the party or to their showcase creativity. Social media apps and platforms are therefore removing the boundaries that lockdowns across the globe have imposed upon students, and indeed upon everyone else. With online communities there are no walls, and even in isolation with technology’s help they can dissipate.
Download the Leepse App in the Apple App Store.
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