The Supportive Online Community Created By Girls, For Girls

Growing up is hard -- no one will tell you otherwise (and if they do...they’re wrong). There’s a lot to figure out along the way: school dynamics, puberty woes, and the looming pressure of fitting in, to name a few. But for the first time, entire generations are growing up online, and for some, that may just be a good thing.

On an online forum for the website Miss O & Friends, a user talks about a struggle with self-doubt that may sound familiar to many. She wants to go to soccer tryouts, but she’s worried that she isn’t good enough to compete with the other girls on the team. The responses from the community came fast.

“Never think you’re less-than or not good enough. You are amazing,” said one user. “I don’t need to know you to know, I can just tell. Play soccer and never let them get in your head.”

“If you believe in yourself and you think you can do it, then nobody in this world has the power to stop you from it,” said another. “I would say go, give your best. It’s worth trying!”

This is the youth-powered community of Miss O & Friends. The platform hosts articles, quizzes, and a social networking element called the Girl2Girl Wall for tween and teen girls. You can find girls chatting here about everything from pop culture faves to first-day-of-school blues. Some of their most common discussion topics are bullying, puberty, friendships, and crushes.

“My friend says that my singing is irritating and that I should never sing again, but I love singing,” said one user, “What should I do?”

“I bet that you’re a beautiful singer! It’s such a shame when a person that you called a friend decides to be so hurtful,” someone responded. “You don’t have to stop doing something you love just because some bully told you to.”

“That’s not okay for your friend to be saying that stuff. Just know that you have all of us on your side,” said another. “Don’t change because someone says you should. Be who you are.”

As a middle schooler, Juliette Brindak Blake saw the way that her little sister, Olivia, and her friends started struggling with the challenges of growing up -- things like cliques at school and developing new crushes. It inspired her to find a way to help girls like Olivia to navigate that weird and confusing period of being a tween. Then, when Juliette was 16, with the help of her mom, Hermine Brindak, Miss O & Friends was born.

“A girl will post something feeling alone in her issue, and realize that so many other girls are dealing with the same problem. It’s honestly incredible,” said Juliette, now 30. “Showing that is there is not just one definition of what it means to be a girl, and it’s okay to be weird and silly and quirky and scared, really allows young girls to build self-confidence and be the change makers our world so desperately needs.”

Most users are girls between 8 and 16 years old, and the range in ages leads to a lot of “big sister” moments on the platform. When one user expressed anxiety about starting middle school, dozens jumped in with their own experiences, offering advice about staying out of drama and keeping up good grades.

“Keep a small friend group so you can get to know them really well,” advised one user. “I’m going to sound like a big sis, but when you have a small friend group, you can also focus on school and making a good impression on the teacher.”

The discussions happening on the Girl2Girl Wall can get really honest, with girls opening up about sensitive topics like their struggles with mental health or family troubles. One user wrote about feeling conflicted over her crush on a girl in class. As with most of the site’s posts, she was flooded with supportive responses from the community.

“There is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with you,” said one. “And you have people like me, even though I don’t know you, who will support your choices.”

Authenticity is the site’s greatest asset. The conversations going on show a level of vulnerability and empathy that’s hard to find, especially in online spaces. Girls speak candidly about their fears, hopes, likes, and dislikes -- and most importantly, they do it together.

“The community is honest, unfiltered, and supportive,” Juliette said. “Taking that into the real world, and celebrating the differences that make young people unique, is something we hope continues outside our app.”

No one should have to feel alone, online or off. Make your own community a more supportive place through DoSomething’s Cancel Bullying campaign, powered by Hollister. Show your classmates that you’re there for them by spreading positive affirmations at your school.

“Positivity and encouragement are both desperately needed in my school,” said Bethany, 17. “Encouraging words, even if they are just on a small slip of paper, can make such a huge impact on someone.”

“With a few positive messages you can spread kindness,” said Adriana 15. “Sometimes we need to remember that we are appreciated, accepted and loved, and that’s exactly what this campaign is just doing.”