Like most tools, how positive or negative they are depends on the way they're used.
There's no doubt that social networks can be huge time wasters for those who feel the need to get personal validation through the number of likes they garner for their status updates.
But, on the other hand, they can be a useful way of keeping in touch with friends you don't get to see so often.
You can keep track of what's going on in their lives.
Having said that, there does seem to be a shift in the way we're using these platforms.
By and large, my Facebook friends tend to share information about public issues or events rather than photos of what they had for breakfast.
But sharing content brings a whole lot of responsibilities with it.
Facts and sources should always be checked or else there's the potential for misleading people.
Social media can be a minefield nowadays.