Advantages of Social Media

Read the following passage:

Social media has profoundly changed how we communicate with each other. Prior to its emergence, personal interaction often took place in person or through phone calls. Nowadays, platforms such as Facebook and Twitter allow individuals to share thoughts and news instantly, potentially connecting people across the globe.

Listen to the speaker discuss the advantages of social media:

'Social media offers several advantages. Firstly, it enables people to stay in touch with family and friends who live far away. Furthermore, it provides a platform for networking that can benefit one’s career, allowing for connections with professionals across various industries.'

Using the information in both the reading and listening materials, write a summary of the advantages of social media as discussed by the speaker. Be sure to include specific points from both the passage and the talk.