The word “stranger” is quickly fading from the vocabulary of today’s youth.  Even if you don’t know someone personally, you’re bound to recognize him or her from a Facebook picture, wall post or a Twitter mention.

Social media sites allow us to receive news updates on our interests as they happen.  We can see our friends’ photos of an event like Austin City Limits on Facebook before “official” ACL pictures go up.  We can share breaking news, like the death of a celebrity, with Twitter followers before news outlets even have the story written.  

Social media is making us more aware of the world around us, but is it also separating us from truly experiencing that same world.

In addition to spreading news, social media sites allow us to learn more about friends, acquaintances and strangers than previously possible.  The goal of these sites is to bring people together, and while they can sometimes make face-to-face communication awkward, they also keep us linked to the people in our lives.

Twitter, Facebook, and even blogging sites like Tumblr can connect us to people we have never met (and may never meet) in person. However, a relationship completely formed online can be problematic.  Sure, you may have over 400 followers on Twitter or 500 friends on Facebook, but how many of those people can you call and ask to hang out?  Chances are the number is less than you’d think.  

Behind the comfort of your computer, you may feel a sense of animosity and may write things you wouldn’t dare say in public. Through a social media outlet, people can create a completely different persona from their real life personalities.  This causes issues when it comes to cultivating lasting friendships.  If we grow accustomed to editing the way we sound, look and are perceived by others, then nobody knows who we truly are.  

While social media sites are fundamental in today’s world, users should practice caution.  Platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr serve a purpose in helping people network and stay connected to friends and peers. Direct human communication is still the best way we can make lasting relationships.  

There are millions of registered Twitter accounts, and that number continues to grow. Though it might be beneficial to share our thoughts on feeling via social media sites, social networking can’t beat the simple pleasures in life, like having a face-to-face conversation with a friend.  People must have the ability to separate their lives from social media and actually go out and live a life worthy of a Facebook status.