Is Social Media Important?

The explosion of social media has had an incredible impact on global society.  Like never before we can gather and share information about our favourite companies, bands, artists and designers.  We almost always know what our friends are thinking and doing and can see the latest pictures of our brand new cousin, who was born across the country, with in moments of his proud mother uploading them to her Facebook account. Social media gives a voice to the shyest person and paints a picture of the new girl in class who no one knows yet. 

I think social media has made a great impact on social consciousness and social conscience.  We no longer have to rely on the media to decide what is important to us.  We can make a choice.  We can choose to hold companies accountable for their actions by posting linked statuses on Facebook and tell them exactly what we think with @mentions on Twitter.  We can tell the powers that be that we want things to change. We can share our outrage over social injustices in countries a world away. We can buy t-shirts and support social causes with the push of a button.  We can rally behind a nation as it picks up the pieces after massive natural devistation.

It has changed the way we think and the way we interact.  Social media has changed the way we buy, sell, date, break up, hire and fire. It's here to stay and it's only going to get bigger. I think it is important. Just jump on that bandwagon and enjoy it!