If you haven’t noticed already, we live in the age of social media. Almost every aspect of life connects back to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc. Even education relies on social media, evidenced by the numerous clubs on campus who take to Instagram and Twitter to showcase their members’ achievements or engaging activities they sponsor. However, ubiquitous presence often breeds ubiquitous controversy, and the hundreds of scandals that pollute these sites provide ample proof to many that social media is at best a vice to be avoided at all costs.

To add fuel to the fires condemning social media, 35 percent of college admissions officers found “questionable content” on prospective students’ internet presence which “negatively impacted their chances” of acceptance. Employers also look up potential hires’ social media accounts, and often the results are damning. The admittedly frightening concept of losing your spot at the school of your dreams or forfeiting a job simply because you posted a selfie with a red solo cup in the vicinity scares many teens away from social media. Others who’ve seen many a relationship torn apart by a Twitter feud claim that it has a “toxic” impact on their social lives and they’d rather have nothing to do with it.

And although these “cons” of social media seem daunting enough to outweigh the “pros”, social media is a blessing of the modern era, right up there with running water and Nutella. I don’t mean to exaggerate, but I have learned more about the real world from Twitter and YouTube in one year than in the twelve I’ve spent in the classroom.

The myriad of conflicting opinions, political ideologies and experiences found on any one of these sites offers us a unique opportunity to become well-rounded, worldly individuals. Social media, if used with integrity, can be the window through which we glimpse and understand the contradicting facets of the world. YouTube gives us thousands of videos explaining the intricacies of innovative technologies and science, Facebook connects us to global organizations which we can participate in, Instagram shows us the vast dichotomy of lifestyles that exist in harmony around the world, and Twitter educates us about the political turmoil and social issues plaguing our country. All of humanity at our fingertips.

All it takes is a little common sense: don’t post anything you wouldn’t want your grandparents to see. Other than that, go forth and explore these sites; use these powerful tools to find your passions, connect with new friends and richen your understanding.