According to a report by Common Sense Media, 75 percent of teenagers in America currently have profiles on social networking sites, of which 68 percent use Facebook as their main social networking tool. Looking at the average millennial, one might often see him or her on some sort of a smart phone and one is quick to think “can millennials ever really disconnect and put down the phone?”. Millennials have been given this bad wrap of never being able to put down their phone and disconnect from social media and really pay attention and connect to the people around them. The millennial generation has felt more so than any other generation to constantly hit the refresh button and to feel linked in to each other. The millennial generation is a generation composed of young adults ages 18-34, and it is quick to assume that technology is their entire life. Often accusations are that teenagers spend hours upon hours a day on their computers, tablets, or cell phones scrolling through their social media pages, but this does not ring true for everyone. I do agree with the fact that people our age and even sometimes our elders are too caught up in the social media world. But I do believe that just like everything else in life things with moderation things are okay. Although there are negative aspects of social media and internet use, the positives are more important and social media, the internet, and the use of phones help prepare us for the world we are growing up in. 

Often times it is said that social media makes the user isolated and less active in the real world. While that can be true for some people, others handle the use of phones and social media completely fine. Some researchers have found that the use of social media has actually made kids more peer based. They also say that it “helps with their participation in modern society” (Khaama Press). There are many ways to look at this but as long as the use is in moderation and is being used for productive tasks then there should be no issue seen with the use of social media. Users that have become addicted to their phones may be experiencing this feeling of isolation but the majority of the population does not seem to have that same issue. 

One of the more important and most talked about issues in relation to the use of social media is the fact that often times it leaves people feeling depressed. With the positives of social media there also comes many negatives. Depression can come in many different forms but social media does allow people to compare themselves to the lives of others much more than previously possible. Researchers have said that this obsessive use of social media can cause a “decline in subjective well-being” (Khaama Press).  It causes high levels of insecurities in many teens and often times, people of older age as well. People compare their photos and what others are doing with their lives much more than others were able to in the past. There is a term used my millennials called “FOMO” which is the fear of missing out. They use this because often times people see things and wish they could be doing the same things these other people are or wishing they looked like someone else when in reality, nothing is usually as good as it seems and we always want what we don’t have. This is the most important issue because people need to realize that they should be focusing on their lives and not the lives of the people they follow on Instagram or are friends with on Facebook. 

One source says that social media can often times be a distraction to the more important aspects in our life, such as school or work. These distractions can limit how much effort we put into our tasks and how well we perform them. Often times one can find themselves

One blog written by Aj Agrawal agrees that “social media is not always an online distraction or procrastination platform.” Often times the use of social media is good at connecting us quickly to those around us when important news comes about. Social media provides an excellent way to stay informed in what is happening around us. Most major news outlets outlets have Twitter accounts, colleges as well. This is important because when news needs to be broadcasted it reaches the public in a much faster manner than if you had to go home and turn on your TV or listen to your radio. When more people are aware of the situations at hand, it ensures that things are run much more smoothly and efficiently. 

In terms of marketing, social media is a great way to get names and ideas out there for the world to see. When you get on social media it is crazy to see how creative some people actually are and how it possibly gone unnoticed without the access to social media, computers, the internet and all of our new technology. The marketing world thrives when their posts are being shared, liked, and retweeted. There are also many benefits to charities and non-profit organizations. However, they choose to get their message out, whether it be video, picture or ad, they can make people passionate about their issue more intrigued and involved. The use of websites like gofundme.com help so many people annually and it wouldn’t be possible without our new developments in technology. 

The world of social media and the internet has made the ability to be up-to-date and informed that much easier. By just the click of a button one can be connected to a variety of news sources. One article by the Elite Daily argues that “sure, we may not walk around with a newspaper in hand, but we walk around with handheld devices that provide us with access to thousands of news outlets worldwide.” (Heather Varner) I’m sure there are people that never use this new technology in a positive or productive manner, but those that do can vouch that “it’s efficiency is second to none.” (Heather Varner). People’s main argument is that we as millennials aren’t contacting with the real world enough but is that necessarily true? If were reading up on what is happening and staying more informed than if we had to go turn on the TV or radio or read the paper, then how can that be construed as negative?

The use of the internet and social media has also made millennials voice their opinion more. In the past, many people think it is cool to not care but that’s simply not the case anymore. Having profiles and outlets make it easy to express our opinions online. Sites such as Twitter and Facebook allow us to voice how we feel but at the same time get feedback from our peers and “followers”. While scrolling through these sites it really shows how open people are now to voicing their opinions and giving feedback to people. 

Another issue that social media addresses would be that we not only are starting to accept diversity more, we are welcoming it. Our generation has brought about many changes when it comes to “social norms”. We are hearing more and more about women’s rights, “issues” involving gender, and the internet is a great place to connect with people that are experiencing the same things as themselves. The internet gives off a sense of community and helps some of these people not feel so alone. Often times people cant find the support within their homes or through the friends so they now have the opportunity to take to the internet to connect with others. The Elite Daily says that “the world is getting smaller through our digital interconnectivity, and our welcoming attitude toward diversity is arguably the biggest pay-out of all.” I think the internet and use of social media has the ability to make people be more compassionate. Through the use of the internet we are able to see people’s back stories and connect with them more personally rather than by judging them from just what we see in person. 

Wanting to be heard by those around you has become much more important to people and a CNN article says that “teens have shown they can use social media to make their voices heard.” (Kelly Wallce)

In contrast to the arguments against social media saying that it makes people feel depressed and have less self-worth there are many statistics arguing otherwise. A CNN article entitled “The Upside for Selfies: Social Media isn’t all bad for kids” says that in a recent survey 28% of kids said social networking made them feel more outgoing, and 29% said it made them feel less shy. These statistics are compared to the 5% that said it made them feel less outgoing and the 3% that said it makes them feel more shy. In another survey taken by CNN 52% of teens said social media has made their relationships with their friends better versus 4% who said it has done the opposite. In relation to these statistics about relationships, Khamma Press brings to attention the fact that kids are “creating longer term friendships by being in touch online even when friends are no longer physically meeting.” Not only do these statistics bring to light the fact that social media can be beneficial it can “help to build self-confidence as well”. (Kelly Wallace). The reason Wallace says this is because of discussions she has had with her peers where their children’s friends leave comments about how pretty they are and those in and of themselves are confidence boosters. Khaama Press says that “social networks actually make kids more relationship-oriented, compassionate and emphatic.” This proves that if used the right way social media can be beneficial to many people. 

Another beneficial aspect to social media is that it allows us to connect to loved ones near and far. Often times families are split apart due to jobs, money situations, and _. When families are required to move away from each other it can put a strain on these relationships. An article written by Forbes says that the use of social media, wifi, the internet and apps like facetime allow people to not worry so much about their friends or family living in different states or even different countries. Social media makes the world feel a little smaller and everyone a little more connected. 

 Social media isn’t all bad, a source entitled “The Positive and Negative Impacts of Social Media on our New Generation” gives different examples of why social media can be deemed good but why others view it as a negative aspect of our society. Khaama Press says that “spending time online is essential for young people to pick up the social and technical skills they need to be competent citizens in the digital age.” (Khamma Press) These skills children are learning help them better participate in modern society. 

The internet can not only be beneficial to those using it leisurely but it has many positive impacts on businesses as well. The use of the internet gives businesses an entirely new type of economy. The internet also helps businesses reduce costs when they’re promoting their companies or products. Bryan Platz for a site The Web Doctor says that “companies can reduce more than five percents of their maintenance, repair and operation costs by adopting e-business solutions. This five percent savings can turn into 50% of a company’s net profit.” (Platz). Before the times of the internet one could only make purchases to stores or businesses if they were in their general vicinity. With the invention of the internet and social media websites that promote products and deals then it allows purchases to be made from anywhere with said access. This is very good for these businesses because their websites allow them to make more profits because the population of people viewing their products is expanding. This is what Bryan Platz meant when he said that the use of the internet gives businesses an entirely new type of economy. One of the other advantages is that businesses can be run 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. When making purchases online at a shop one can buy and sell at any time of the night or day.

The internet allows its users to connect to people and companies in ways never thought imaginable before it was invented. Social media allows people to express their opinions, listen to what others have to say, connect with people from all over and make purchases and do business from anywhere in the world. Though people say social media and the internet have consumed our world, that isn’t a bad thing considering these two things have become very important aspects of our everyday life. Not just with communicating with people but with business and important news updates as well. 