Social media has taken the world by storm through dozens of websites, mobile apps, and other

forms of technologies improving the way people communicate with each other. There are social
media sites that have millions of members allowing them to share photos, videos, text
messages, and more on a regular basis. There are a large number of advantages and
disadvantages to using such sites that leave researchers wondering if we are better off without
it. Has social media improved or damaged the way people connect with each other? There are
studies that suggest it has done both.

The advantages of social media have been interesting to observe and participate in for millions
of people around the world over the past few years. People have been able to communicate
with people in their local neighborhood and talk to people in other countries at the same time.
People have formed online communities that allowed them to get support, education, and even
promote and sell products. You can connect with people from school and learn about news that
is happening in other parts of the world. If you do not like talking on the phone or lack time to
meet in person, you can connect via social media at any time convenient for you. You also have
a list of contacts maintained for you through the social media platform you use. But, these
advantages have a downside that raises ongoing concerns.

The disadvantages may hurt how people communicate with each other. Some people prefer to
have face-to-face interaction with friends and loved ones. Fraud and scams have been on the
rise with more people using social media as their main form of communication. Others have
wondered what happens to your person information when you stop using the site or when
someone is deceased. There is also the issue of knowing how much information to share and
what you should avoid. Viruses tend to spread easier and faster when people are not sure what
links to avoid clicking.

Others have found themselves in uncomfortable situations they wish they could undo, but
unfortunately social media can still keep a record of it making it more difficult to leave in the
past. Social media offers promising features that can make people think twice about how they
utilize this platform. Sometimes you put yourself at risk of ruining a relationship based on what
you post or what you may say to someone