Social Media - Menace or Miracle?

 It goes without saying that the biggest part of the modern technological age has been the development of social media. At times, a seemingly angelic force that connects people around the Globe. I mean, if it wasn’t for social media I wouldn’t really be able to communicate on this blog!

However, at other times, social media is one of the most damaging inventions of the 21st century. It becomes a dark, aggressive, scary place. 

But how does social media relate to Literature? I hear you ask. Good question. 

With social media we’ve not only seen a development in styles of Literature and how they’re received (such as Instagram poets like Rupi Kaur), but we’ve also opened up a world where people can easily share thoughts and feelings, and when concerning Literature, that is the dream. 

So I implore you to consider, has social media been a miracle in the Literary world? Has it opened us up to thousands of literary opinions, book-stagrams and critical blogs (Hi there) that allow us to develop our thoughts on a text? Or has it been an absolute menace. Ruining the peace reading a book without any external influence once had?

I’m personally a little torn. And if anything, a little hypocritical if I criticise. 

What are your thoughts?