Social media has grown from its infancy in the early 2000s into a ubiquitous part of most people's lives. What began as a way for people to connect with each other has evolved into a variety of platforms where people can get news, share ideas and even make a living. But from the beginnings of Facebook, YouTube and Twitter to the second wave of platforms like Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok, people have had differing opinions on the true nature of social media.

Pro: maintain connections

One of the biggest positives of social media is the way it brings people together. These sites "play an important role in the establishment of friendships and the everyday back and forth of peer relationships," said the Pew Research Center . The term "social media" provides a clue to the initial purpose

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