Social media: some people love it and some people hate it. Some people say that the internet is creating decline of the new generation and complain about how “all kids care about these days are their Twitters and Facebooks.”

With articles with scary headlines like “Is social media ruining our kids?” from CNN and “Is Social Media a Vortex For Negative?” from Huffington Post terrifying the public, people might be under the impression that social media is all bad.

It’s true that young people spend a significant amount of time on social media, but it might not be a total waste, though. A study by the MacArthur Foundation found that participating in social media can help teens be prepared for the world ahead of them, according to the New York Times.

“Their participation is giving them the technological skills and literacy they need to succeed in the contemporary world. They’re learning how to get along with others, how to manage a public identity, how to create a home page,” the head researcher on the study said, according to the New York Times.

In our changing world, internet literacy and the ability to communicate over social media is vital.

Facebook and Twitter also allow you to communicate with people far away that you normally wouldn’t be able to connect with and open you up to new views. People can share their experiences and views, opening you up to new ideas.

Pinterest and Instagram are used to share images and can be used for inspiration for future projects, creative meals and outfits.

It’s true that people do post idiotic things online. Twitter might make you think that the younger generation is full of imbeciles because of viral videos of people doing stupid things and statuses featuring ignorant views.

There have always been idiotic people; social media just gives them more attention, but they shouldn’t ruin it for the rest of us.

Sure, there’s always going to be that girl who posts way too many selfies or the guy with annoying status updates, but that doesn’t mean the social media is all bad or causing the end of intelligent life on Earth.