There are many arguments made against social media. Some people try to brainwash the public into believing that millennials are addicted to their phones, computers, and televisions. They are confident that it hinders us millennials from being able to communicate in person. They claim we do not exercise enough. And the list of malarkey can go on and on. It is the negative components of many aspects of life that make the news. For example, I have been to several mandatory assemblies in my life that share horrific stories of cyberbullying. I do not mean to downplay cyberbullying, as I know it has effected many of my peers. In fact, one website’s statistics on cyberbullying states that, “52 per cent of young people report being cyberbullied.” However, I have never been at a mandatory assembly that explains the opportunities that social media presents. I believe that its most significant asset is the ability to keep people connected across the globe.

What does it mean to be connected? In today’s world, we are one click, swipe, or tap from each other regardless of location. I have friends that are across the pond in Europe, yet I can keep in touch with them via Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat. Personally, I use these three social media outlets the most. I am mind-blown that once an account such as @SportsCenter tweets about a football player, my friends, who are on a different continent, see the same tweet at the top of their feed. I can take a selfie of myself at an event and have it instantly appear on friend’s phone who is nine hours by plane away from me.

Social media enables friendships, families, and businesses thrive because of its ability to let people communicate and stay connected.