All too often we see PowerPoint presentations, articles, and studies explaining the dangers of social media. While there are dangers to social media, as there are with anything, there are also an increasing amount of benefits when it is used for the right reasons and in small doses. Here are a few reasons why social media’s benefits outweigh the negatives.
Social Interactions with Friends & Family Although this might seem obvious, connecting with friends and family on Facebook and Instagram is exciting, especially if a family member lives far away or your best friend attends a different college. Social media allows you to stay up to date on what’s going in the lives of the people closest to you, even if they’re not physically there.
News, Current Events, & The Entertainment Industry Because most people have smartphones nowadays, it is easy to be aware of what is going on at the state level as well as nationally and internationally. On any given app or social media site, there are stories ranging from events that have been recently presented on the news to the lists of the new movies that are hitting theatres this weekend. You can find out so much information on social media, specifically on Facebook and Twitter, because it is often the place where people vent about recent happenings in the news, both good and bad.
NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK As college students, especially, social media is a helpful tool in networking with potential employers and companies as well as a method of keeping in touch with previous employers or supervisors who may be able to give you references in the future. Whether you’re looking to apply for a summer internship or you’re searching for a full-time position after graduation, sites like LinkedIn and Facebook are the perfect places to visit. Always remember that it is never too early to get a kick-start on your career.
Personal Pleasure & Amusement The main reason that we cling to our phones is because it’s fun. We all look forward to hearing about job promotions and wedding announcements and seeing baby and vacation photos. After a long, hard day, it is relaxing to sit in bed and scroll through various social media websites to find out what’s going on in the world and in our lives.