Social media just might be the biggest double-edged sword of our generation. Just as frequently as it unites and uplifts, it can bring people down.

What's the first thing we do when we want to learn about someone? We check their social media.

Social media honestly serves more as an online social resume than anything. Whether it's Facebook, Instagram, or perhaps Twitter, we use these as tools to gather information. We feel as though these small snip-its of who people are, what they do and say, are able to tell us everything there is to know about them; when in reality, that is so far from the truth.

Everyone has a virtual persona that is different from who they actually are.

Think of it like this-- social media is really just a highlight reel. We only post our funniest thoughts and our best pictures. Who's gonna post about their family's problems? About how stressed they are, how they're failing a class? Duh, nobody. You'll never see the nights someone stayed in all alone or the blowout fight they got into with their boyfriend- only the ones where they got all dressed up and went out, and the cutest couple photos. Yet, even though we ourselves do the exact same thing, we're often convinced that there are people with perfect lives. This can make people feel bad about their own lives.

We put too much faith in what others post online. It's a made-up world where everyone is competing for likes and followers.

Suddenly, having 1,000 people you have never, and likely will never, talk to "following" you actually means something. Getting a certain amount of likes on a picture defines it's quality. Maybe you let it define YOU! A double tap on a screen is almost meaningless, but for some reason we give it so much meaning. People fight over it! "omg, can you believe __ liked __ 's picture?" "why did he follow her?!" ....how about, who cares?

Basically, it's important to remind yourself that social media isn't a reliable way to get to know anything about a person. Yeah, you might learn where they go to school and what they like to do. BUT, you're only seeing what they want you to see. Take it all with a grain of salt. :)