AS A teenager, I totally agree that social media intensifies a sense of nearness and strengthens empathy ("Social media's influence in S'pore politics here to stay"; last Friday).

First, the idea of nearness allows teenagers to have connections with the Government. This is good because it allows teenagers like me to be able to raise concerns regarding changes that the Government would like to make or new things that the Government would like to put forth.

Second, strengthening empathy will allow teenagers to understand the changes that the Government wants to make, and this would eliminate misconceptions and misunderstandings, and would create a clearer picture of the reasons behind the Government's moves. This would reduce conflict as well.

In the future, this would create a better connected and more peaceful Singapore for all.

Soumya Vanka (Miss)