A Bad Rap for Social Media?

Before I start today...I'm so excited to be guest posting today for the very first time! You can check out my post at one of my favorite blogs...please stop by and check it out!






I saw an interview recently with a mom whose family gave up all technology for six months because the mom felt that they were all too attached to it.  I understand where they're coming from, but I can't help but think that's looking only at the bad side of technology.  I hear people talking often about the evils and dangers of social media.  While I see their point, I also feel that social media and technology get a bad rap.  The good points of it are all too often overlooked.  Social media has been a huge benefit to me in so many different ways...

1. Our family is scattered throughout the country, ranging from six hours to fourteen hours driving distance away from us.  Thanks to Facebook, we can keep up with everyone in one place.  Sure, I'm on it pretty much every day, and yes, I probably spend too much time on it...but I'm able to stay connected with my parents, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, neices, nephews, cousins, friends...you get the idea.  There are a lot of people to keep in touch with!
2. I have found so much spiritual encouragement thanks to the internet!  From Bible studies to inspirational ideas to accountability groups, you can find it all online.  Just this year, thanks to blogs and Twitter, I've started keeping a gratitude journal, memorizing Ephesians, digging into Bible study, reading through the Bible in a year, and getting up early each morning for quiet time and exercise.  I've also found accountability groups and discussions to help me stick with it all.
3. There are so many great resources available through social media - ideas and resources for fitness, time management, organizing, recipes, and more.  Just take a look at my resource page and you'll see what I mean!
4. Support is everywhere!  Three and a half years ago, as a new working mom, I was stressed out and overwhelmed.  I desperately needed to hear from other moms who were in the same situation.  I needed to know that guilt is normal, that it takes time to adjust, and that you can find a lot of joy, even if you're not in the situation you'd hoped for.  Thanks to Twitter, Blog Frog, and other sites, I found that support, and now I hope to help provide support with my own blog.

Whenever I hear people start bashing social media and the internet, I try to step in and give my own take on it.  I share how much it has helped me and the benefits it's added to my life.  I think that it's time to focusing on the good that social media and technology are doing.