One of the defining characteristics of the modern era is the development of social media. Before the internet and various forms of social media connected people across long distances, people relied on sending letters and information through the mail. While this is still an effective system, the immediate nature of online connections makes them ten times more effective. The ability to reach out to people around the world instantaneously and remain connected no matter the distance is one of the most amazing gifts that the internet age has brought us.

While I spent the semester abroad in Canada, I was able to keep in contact with my friends and family through different forms of social media, like Facebook. We kept communicating about current events on our respective campuses and what things were like at home. Not only was I able to keep up with events in Plattsburgh, I was also able to keep up with other various events happening in the United States. Even though my time abroad was amazing and I had some of the better days of my life, I'm certain that my time was more enjoyable because I was able to stay connected to my loved ones at home.

Now that I am home, social media will allow me to maintain connections that I made abroad. Although my new friends are scattered across the world along every continent (apart from Antarctica), I can continue to talk to them and learn more about them. Our friendships will continue to grow and bring us together thanks to the connecting power of social media. Despite our distance, the friendships that we made will continue to persist. In fact, our group chat from school is now named "Friendship never dies <3".

Of course, there are certain downsides to having social media and being connected to people through it. Due to the "social" aspect of social media, anything that's posted can be seen by nearly anyone. The popularity of emotional "R.I.P." posts for deceased family members has caused a great deal of controversy as people have found out about the passing of their family members through an avenue like Facebook instead of getting a phone call or being told in person. When tragedy strikes, a "R.I.P." post online may be a way of displaying your grief, but it's best left for another time, after the knowledge of the event is spread to those who need to know it by other means.

In the end, even though life happens and takes us away from our friends and loved ones, social media can bring us together to share our experiences with each other from far and wide. While it is not the only option, and sometimes not the most reliable option, it is more often than not the most immediate option, which can make all the difference in the world.