The 21st century has become another important century for inventions and discoveries. We are only on the 2nd decade of this century currently but we have already witnessed many big innovations that has drastically changed our way of living. Bluetooth technology, broadband internet, artificial heart, genetic engineering, virtual reality, 3D printing are some to name a few. These inventions are changing the way we live, do our things and communicate with the others. Even though some of these developments are in the early stage of innovation, they have a more sophisticated and promising future. Social media is one of the most important aspect that has affected each person in this modern time.
According to Heidi Cohen, Social Media are the platforms 
that enable the interactive web by engaging users to participate in, comment on and create content as means of communicating with their social graph, other users and the public (heidicohen.com). The power of social media has changed most of the things in our daily life. Around the world, infinite number of people go online every minute to access their social profile. Every person is not just a person in the physical world but is also a different person in the online world. This means he or she has a separate identity in online platforms, another virtual life alongside the human life.
Online communication channels like Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Tumblr, Photobucket, Reddit, Pinterest are few examples of social networking platforms. The social media has revolutionized and completely changed the way we send and receive information. It is more interactive, can be done in real time and uses a wide number of media like text, audio, video, pictures, graphics and more. Unlike the traditional media such as radio, television, newspapers and mails where information flow is only in one direction, social media has completely changed the way we connect and communicate with others. With these sites, sending and received messages offline and in real time, audio and video chatting, sharing picture, video and text, going “Live” to many audience, meeting old friends and making new has revolutionized our way of establishing connected with others.
The use of social networks for personal and business communications is increasing day after day. It has provided convenience by saving time and travel costs. Some of the social networks like Facebook and Twitter have user bases larger than the population of most countries. According to huffingtonpost.com, 1.39 billion people log in to Facebook each month to scroll their news feed, communicate with friends and to look at photos.
There are also the negative sides of the innovation of social media and their usage. Increase in cyber-crime, invasion of privacy, security threats etc. are some of the issues associated with social networks. But at the same time social networks are working themselves to cope with the increasing problems that arise with the improper use of it. With more and more sophistication and versatility of use, social media have undoubtly proved to be a boon to connectivity and social interaction between people in this age of communication and information technology.
Sources:
aayam 