Apparently there is a day to celebrate the craziness that is social media. As if we needed another reason to use our screens. We don’t. Really!

Social Media Day was launched by Mashable on June 30, 2010. It was a way to recognise and celebrate the impact of social media on global communication. But, social media didn’t just affect communication, it has completely transformed our lives from influencing our food choices to political views.

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter were designed as ways of interaction, bridging the gap between people. As expats, we can relate to this since we all have friends or family living in different time zones. Since then, these platforms have completely evolved. Now there are hundreds of people who earn their living solely through social media platforms. According to Zephoria, Facebook now has 2.38 billion monthly active users. Zoella who is a popular Youtuber has a net worth of around $ 2.5 million, while her partner Alfie Deyes net worth is $ 3.8 million. Their whole fortune has been earned through these platforms. They started making videos on Youtube, moving on to Instagram that gave way to book and product launches.

Businesses have been launched through it and a whole industry of influencers, social media managers, social media marketing has been borne. There are business conferences and retreats held annually to discuss content and strategies.

Companies are exclusively run through social media where the management uses apps like GoToMeeting and Skype for interviews and meetings, Slack for everyday communication with colleagues, Wordpress for writing articles and Instagram, Twitter to share their content.

In the last nine years since the day was officially launched, celebrations have taken over the world. Now conferences and events are held internationally in recognition of the day. There is even a virtual Social Media Summit happening that aims to connect professionals around the world to learn and celebrate the day.

Can you imagine the time before social media? How did we communicate before Whatsapp? Recently, a friend bought Khussas (Shoes) for me through Whatsapp. She sent me pictures and I chose the designs I wanted. We live a life where things are just a click away.

This day is a reminder of how far we have come. Not too long ago, until 1973, we didn’t even have mobile phones, forget the internet and everything else. Now we can’t imagine our lives without it. According to Digital Information Worldwide, users spend an average of two hours 22 minutes on social media daily. That being said, it’s also good for us to monitor our usage and try to use social media for good instead of mindless scrolling. Make sure what you are consuming on a daily basis is content that matters.

People have different types of experiences with social media, mine has been nothing but wonderful. So this social media day, I want to celebrate that.

Here are some ways you can celebrate the day too:

1. Use the hashtag #SMday on your social media posts.
2. Talk about how social media has changed your life. For example, there was a time when I used to read online celebrity magazines but now I can find everything on Instagram.
3. Go out of your comfort zone and meet one of your Instagram/ Twitter/ Facebook friends at a coffeeshop.

We hope that Social Media brings you nothing but happiness and joy. Let us know what you are doing today to celebrate it. Drop us a line in the comments and also, don't forget to like and share this article—it keeps us going!

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Sumaica Asad

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