Social media is powerful. However, I probably don't even need to say that. With the many forms that it comes in, social media has had a significant effect on the world over the years. We can see what our friends are up to, directly message them, post what we're doing, and follow trending news. In this day and age, social media is so powerful that employers now use it to help them determine if a candidate for employment is a good fit for the job, and just their profile picture alone is enough to give them an idea. If it is of them at a party, then the employer will probably just close out their Facebook page and deny them. I know I would.

While on-line communication certainly helps make life easier, social media may, in fact, be extremely powerful beyond easy understanding. The functions that users can enable are endless, but as I'm sure you know, the most basic features are the "like" and "comment" features - the features that do wonders.

When I hit "like" on a friend's social media post, it is usually because I actually like it. Maybe I am happy for my friend because they achieved someone, they entertained me somehow, or they inspired me. I may even leave a comment to remark on how I feel. And, on the flip side, if I post a status and someone "likes" it, I feel joyed that I garnered someone's attention in a positive way.

I have to admit though, that in the past, I have felt extra joy when a crush was one to "like" what I had to say. When this happens, it's kind of like a confidence booster; it gives me hope that perhaps this person really does like me.

Then again, the crush only hit the "like" button - they did not talk to me, wave to me, smile at me, or communicate in any other way besides simply hitting a button on social media. When I stop and think about it, that truly is silly.

How could a simple click determine how this person feels about me? Although I would like to believe that they like me, why would this be the way for me to tell?

However, the power of the "like" button goes way beyond what happens on your own posts. The thumbs feature is also the one that is often used to potentially damage friendships and relationships, and it could be placed on absolutely anyone's shared thoughts. When your significant one "likes" another person of the opposite gender's photo or your friend "likes" your ex's new relationship status, how do you feel? Do you feel jealous? Angry? Sad?

For me personally, I may feel upset - it depends on the exact circumstances. This too is silly, and frankly, it's also kind of pathetic. While someone else hitting the "like" button on a post of someone you're not fond can sadly be a bad feeling, it shouldn't mean the end of the world. It is just a "like."

Again, social media is a wonderful thing of today's world, but it is unbelievable how many thoughts a notification of someone "liking" a post can leave. Why does this button have to be so powerful? Why does it have to leave people with so many questions and emotions? Or, I should say, why is difficult for so many people, myself included, to understand that the "like" button may only indicate that someone liked what you had to say?

If you find yourself always "liking" a crush's photos, maybe it would be better to rack up the courage to talk to him or her, and maybe also discuss how you feel. While this may be nerve wracking, it is better not leave the person with so many questions. Or, if your best friend "likes" your ex's photo, just let it be that way and forget it. If something was going on between the two of them, I'm sure they would use more than the "like" button to show it, but I know that in this case, is isn't ideal.

The "like" button does a lot of things, but it shouldn't be treated like a deal breaker. Although social skills aren't as great as they were in the past, they still exist. Use them beyond a simple click.