In my World Religions class last semester, we learned how the world is considered a “global village.” What this means is that, now more than ever, we are completely connected to one another from all corners of the world.

Social media is one of the key reasons behind global connectivity. There was a time, not that many years ago, when countries did not know what other countries were doing.

Today, most of us live in an environment where we are instantly aware of news from any part of the world. When we go on Twitter or Facebook, with just a click of a button, we can learn about news in real time on a national or world basis.

Because of social media, I am able to see what old friends, or family members that live in another state are up to regardless of the distance life has put between us. I can go on Twitter and follow news agencies from all reaches of the world and catch a glimpse of news from the remotest and most dangerous regions around the world.

Many people, I’m sure, would agree that there are a lot of people who use social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram simply to get “likes” on their photos or statuses they post. These critics would further argue that these are behaviors that appear to be vain and self-obsessed suggesting that  we are a selfish society promoting future generations that will only grow up into selfish human beings.

Well, I don’t buy it. Instead, I feel social media promotes self-acceptance. Growing up, children, especially girls, hear that we need to feel comfortable with who we are, to like ourselves, and our bodies the way we are.

Though it may be seen as “selfish” for a person to post a “selfie,” I believe that the person who posts is brave and extremely confident. Why is it bad to appreciate what we look like and for us to feel good about ourselves? Doesn’t this show confidence? Isn’t confidence considered beautiful?

If we are worried about future generations becoming more selfish, we should not be. Social media is not to blame. The problem was around long before social media and it will always be an issue. “Selfies” are not the cause of selfishness.

A CNN study stated that “social media users feel 20% more connected to their institution and are twice as likely to feel popular.” The difference between one “like” and 100 hundred “likes” may seem like a big one to some people, but sometimes, people only need one to feel they are important. Sometimes people don’t need any. The significance of a post is that you may find to be important, funny or relevant, and receiving a like might put a smile on your face knowing someone else thinks and feels the same way. It is a bond that makes people feel more connected  to one another regardless of what they like.

Many of you may remember last year’s social media campaign, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. This campaign sparked tremendous interest across the country because people posted videos dumping buckets of ice water on themselves. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS, is a disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement. I personally knew nothing about this disease until the videos began playing on my Facebook page. Due to the videos posted about the Ice Bucket Challenge, more than $94 million was raised for the ALS Association.

Although not everyone who made a video gave money to the foundation, information about the disease informed many and helped others actually see a worthy cause that needed attention. Awareness of problems and helping others become educated is what helps shape our communities to learn making us all more smarter and sympathetic regarding philanthropic needs.

When it comes to others viewing my social media pages, I encourage it. I would never post anything that my parents would not approve of. If my family, members of my school, or future employers want to look at my personal social media pages, I believe they should. If I post something in this type of setting I want people to see it. I would never put anything I am ashamed of or disprove of on my sites because it is something I believe in. Also, the United States is in a unique position because we are protected by our first amendment rights.

With everything people post on social media now, I can only think of how much we might appreciate it in the future. When we are old and gray and reminiscing about our high school days, I can simply pull up and view my old Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages. I will be able to remember amazing times and major events I had through my status updates and photographs that captured moments with my friends and family. These sites are a scrapbook of my life.

Although social media certainly has positive and negative points. Sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram define our generation. Although some might argue that this is a negative; I strongly believe there is nothing more positive! Our “global village” would not exist if  not for these opportunities, which  allow each of us not only to stay connected with our friends, our family, but those around the world.