Social networks are having an increasingly enormous impact on society. Technology has opened the door to a vast amount of information and the ability to transmit that information to virtually anyone, anytime, anywhere. People are constantly checking their emails, updating their status on Facebook, sending tweets on Twitter, instant messages and text messages. The debate over whether social media use is a negative or positive aspect is ongoing. In the case of Steven Pinker, his essay “Mind over Mass Media” argues that media technologies have a positive effect on mental development. In contrast, Sherry Turkle's essay "Connectivity and Its Discontents" argues that technology has a negative effect on interpersonal relationships. Although Pinker makes many excellent arguments about how technology improves intelligence and Turkle provides exceptional insights into how technology harms relationships, neither Pinker nor Turkle provides the best answer to this question due to their lack of credibility and the inclusion of logical fallacies. Instead, we should, while being aware of the risks and dangers of social media, use the Internet to its full potential. In his essay “Mind over Mass Media,” Steven Pinker proposes that media technologies are beneficial to mental development. According to Pinker, the rise of new forms of social media is linked to reductions in crime. He supports this claim by asserting that the emergence of "video games in the 1990s coincided with the great decline in crime in the United States" (3) and that "the decades of television, transistor radios, and rock videos have been…decades during which IQ scores have continually increased.” (3). He also mentions that new technologies have made more resources available, and in return,...... middle of article ......ile Steven Pinker believes that social media improves society and Sherry Turkle finds that they harm society. individuals, the real answer lies between the two positions. “It is well known that the Web is a valuable asset for research and learning,” said Sue Scheff in her article “Social Networking Sites May Limit Interpersonal Skills and Physical Activity.” very dangerous place” (1). Although the Internet is beneficial for gaining knowledge and connecting with others, it will always also have disadvantages as it can be addictive and become an easy source for predators and bullies to prey on vulnerable people. Ultimately, “it is in our collective interest to ensure that the Internet lives up to its potential as a revolutionary medium of connection” (Pariser 11), while being aware of the risks and practicing control of oneself..