The Pros of Social Media

Unless you're a caveman (not paleo, like you legitimately live in a cave), you know social media is everywhere. It seems nearly impossible to avoid it at this point. And more and more, people seem to be talking about the negative effects of social media on us both individually and as a culture. But if social media is all bad, what's the point of having it? We figured there were some good reasons people can't seem to quit social media, so we slid into some friends' DMs to find out their reasons why.

The biggest pro of social media by far seems to be keeping up with friends you haven't seen in a while or who have moved away. At its best, social media helps people maintain relationships, connect with new friends, and hear about and celebrate others' accomplishments. It gives us a glimpse into friends' lives, a highlight reel of sorts, even if we can't be there to experience it with them in real time. It can also provide immediate access to information and news, as well as making different perspectives on various topics more readily available.

From a business standpoint, social media has become a must for marketing. It's the simplest, most powerful tool to help grow a brand in this day and age. Social media is one of the most efficient ways for a brand to target a very particular demographic by using social media platforms' various algorithms, as well as track metrics in a way that is unprecedented. From a consumer standpoint, social media is an easy way to find out about different products, particularly when a company has integrated a social media plan into its marketing strategy. Furthermore, young professionals are using social media more and more to network and connect with other professionals in their field.

If you're still not convinced, there are always the cool travel posts, food porn, and of course, puppy pictures! And if all else fails, at least you can stalk that cute guy's ex-girlfriend on Instagram.