Twitter is just like every other social networking site–there are people who love it and people who hate it.

When I first learned about Twitter, I refused to have anything to do with it because I assumed it was just another passing fad. Eventually, I was convinced into signing up for one because of friends wanting to know what was happening in my life. Twitter makes this extremely easy. Once I got a hold of how to use it, I decided it was the only social site I needed to be using.

Twitter can help you vent your emotions when you just don’t feel like vocalizing how you feel. This is one of the reasons I love using Twitter so much. Tweeting how you feel can help release some of the bottled up emotions inside in a less stressful way, rather than crying or getting into arguments with those around you.

You can openly express how you feel or you can do it in a very subtle way. Hazel Esmilla shared her experiences with Twitter stating, “I use Twitter to put out my emotions if I don’t want to talk to people.” And since Twitter is generally indirect to a specific person, you can just tweet whatever you want–for your own personal growth, a small cry for help to anyone willing to listen, or no particular reason at all.

Now I use Twitter on a daily basis to keep up with my friends, favorite bands, TV shows I watch, and even everyday comedians that I’m a fan of. Skyline student Emmy Quach uses Twitter in part to keep up with events surrounding her interests. “I follow the San Francisco fashion [events]… if they have events and I’m interested in going, I get those updates.”

Twitter also helps you keep track of concert dates and in-person celebrity events. By following them on Twitter, you will be informed as soon as tour dates are announced and you can then buy your tickets quickly before they sell out; if one of your favorite celebrities is having a surprise visit to your town, you will be one of the first to know through Twitter.

There are also down sides to Twitter. Some may think it is harmless to tweet where they are, where they’re going, and for how long, but it really isn’t the best option. When you tell random people this information, it makes you a lot more vulnerable to crime. It’s similar to assigning potential criminals their work schedule. “Don’t put everything on Twitter,” advises Skyline student, Jennifer Mihedji. I would have to say this is a golden rule for Twitter users. When putting your life on the Internet for everyone to see, you have to be careful with sensitive information like that.

Some users of Facebook view Twitter as unnecessary because it integrates a similar update system as Twitter. Nate Ewing, a Facebook user, says he has a Twitter but doesn’t use it.

“I don’t really use it for anything. Plus, you can do all that texting stuff on Facebook anyway.” said Ewing.

I personally prefer the simplicity of Twitter to the many features of Facebook. You have 140 characters to get straight to the point and get on with your life.

Whether you love or hate Twitter, the fact is, it is a great source for information, entertainment, and news. Through Twitter, you can find out what is going on in the world from the tweets of people who are actually there and experiencing it.

Twitter can be fun, informative, stressful, or risky all depending how you use it. It can make someone’s life that much better and it could be a waste of time for someone else. I just hope that more people will see the potential and take advantage of Twitter and the amount of information its users provide. Twitter is very simple and easy to use, so if you’ve never used it, what are you waiting for?