A few years ago, the birth of social media was an exciting and mysterious time in the world. Suddenly, you could share your entire life with hundreds of people in a matter of seconds, ranging from a vacation, to a snapshot of your drink from Starbucks.

Since the boom of social media, it has gotten a negative reputation among some adults and even a small part of the youth. I am constantly hearing that the Internet has ruined our youth. Saying that kids never go outside anymore or don't know how to pick up a phone are just a few examples of some opinions on social media.

I, however, have a completely different opinion.

I think that looking at social media as negative is such a sad and backwards idea. Since moving to college, social media is the number one thing that keeps me from getting homesick. Aside from texting and FaceTiming my friends, I see what everyone back home is doing. Whether it be an Instagram collage or a drunk Snapchat story, it is always fun and hilarious to see what the kids back home are doing.

It has helped me keep up with my family, also. Coming from a large extended family, I could never keep up with birthdays, babies, and the many other things shared daily. Social media keeps us connected even from a state away.

Finally, social media is a job market. It has opened up so many job opportunities around the world. Inventing an app can make you the next Mark Zuckerberg. Be open-minded that careers can start with something as simple as a tweet.

So yes, post your latte. Slap on a filter. Use those geotags. Be thankful for an ever-changing world, improving every day with the use of social media.