More than once a week I come across the same comment from countless people: “In our everyday life, we have become consumed by social media, and it is ruining the communication between people.” Let’s take one step back before we completely log off of Facebook and delete our Instagram accounts because we need to consider that perhaps the concept is not the problem, it is the way we have used it.

Now, I am your typical bookworm, the one who had no cable growing up, no iPads or tablets in the house and was given my first flip phone around senior year in high school so I completely agree that playing outside in the dirt and reading an old classic are valuable life experiences. However, it is time to transform the negative aspects of social media into a more advantageous environment. The use of social media should not actually be seen as a media; moreover, the key is to listen, engage, and build relationships.

Listen:

As much as we may hate it sometimes, it is crucial to understand the thoughts and ideas of others in the society we live in. You will not agree with every comment you read on social media, but for children as well as adults, it is essential to recognize the different perspectives and lifestyles. By hearing about the opportunities abroad for college students, I can join volunteers from around the world. The key to communication is learning how to listen in order to understand rather than to just reply.

Engage:

Many articles are now telling people to enjoy the moment and forget about uploading a picture or telling people about your experience. Sharing one’s moments does not take away from the adventures that life has to offer. It is the need to receive “likes” or “followers” that should be removed. If there is a beautiful location or a new scientific research project that exists somewhere in the world, it is by the means of social media that the information can be shared and people can connect.

Build Relationships:

As you scroll through Facebook, if you see that a friend from middle school recently was accepted for her dream job, congratulate her. While searching through the updates on LinkedIn, if you see an employer around your area, send them an email. With the power of social media, I can reach out to people that I can’t meet every day or individuals that I may have never met. If we could just put away the idea of how many people like our posts and which filters will make the pictures look better, we can create a community that can join together by sharing life experiences to one another.

Instead of deleting your social media accounts when you feel upset or angry, think about what the purpose should be. Forget how many likes you have and how many people will follow you back because the strength of social media is able to benefit humans in greater ways that we may think. Use its influence not to impress people but to impact people.