Social Media.  This is the tool of our generation.  Before noon, most of us have probably looked at our newsfeed on Facebook, uploaded a photo on Instagram, liked some Tweets, watched Vines, or sent a Snapchat to your best friend.

We are the technology generation.  Everything is just a touch away.  You can know what Snooki is doing at this very moment, stream live videos from the Olympics, or video chat your distant friends.  You could have completed all three aforementioned tasks in a matter of minutes.  Decades before, these conveniences wouldn’t have even been possible let alone doable in such a short amount of time.

Technology, and more specifically social media, can be a great resource for us.  We can get news that we want to hear rather than listening to the news stations on the radio or watching the morning news, some of which we have absolutely no interest in hearing.  In fact, 28.7% of our newsfeed is obtained through social media, according to ProCon.org.

Most obviously, social media often is a very quick way to spread information to thousands of people within a matter of seconds.  A poll conducted by CNN reports that the majority of people found out about the death of Osama bin Laden via Twitter, not a newspaper or televised news. There were more than 4,000 Tweets per second before President Obama even made a national announcement regarding the issue.

Though these aspects of social media are great, the negative elements outweighs the benefits.

I use one type of social media, and not very frequently: Facebook.  The last time I posted a picture or status was months ago.

In terms of social media, I am a minority amongst teenagers.  Looking around, nearly everyone surrounding me has Twitter, Vine, Instagram, Pinterest, or Snapchat.  According to Statistic Brain, 98% of teens between the age of 18 and 24 use social media of some type.

Social media is used as a distraction.  Moreover, it is used as a means of increasing popularity and often leads to instantaneous choices that people later regret.

Sophomore Caroline Borden uses Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and Twitter.  She says, “There are some things that I regret posting on social media, but nothing too harmful.”  Borden said that she wouldn’t want any more social media accounts than she has now.

It’s fine to have all of these devices.  The catch is that most of the time, they are not used to benefit our knowledge but rather to harm others.

Think about it.  How many times have you heard someone say they received really interesting worldly news via social media and how beneficial it was versus that Sub Tweet was directed at so and so.

Most of us have probably heard of people who Sub Tweet, save a Snap Chat and forward it to others, or post pictures on Instagram that are meant to hurt others in some way.

So why don’t I involve myself in social media?  Simply because it does more harm than good.  I don’t need to hear about others’ issue.  If I really cared, I would talk to them in person.

I am not suggesting to rid yourself of all social media, but rather to reevaluate why you use it.  Is it to get news relevant to you, or are you guilty in wanting to be a part of drama and negativity?