Change my mind: Reddit is a social network and it's the best one out there

Instagram is fake, Snapchat is for kids, and Facebook is the biggest time-waster there is. At least that’s how I see it. Reddit, on the other hand, is in a class of its own. It’s the best social network out there by far, and I’m here to tell you why.

Before I dive into details, let’s get an important point out of the way. Despite what many people think, Reddit is in fact a social network. It ticks all the right boxes, as it allows me to connect with friends and strangers, share ideas and opinions, and even post images and videos. That’s more or less the definition of what a social network is, at least according to the Cambridge Audio Dictionary. Disagree? Head to the comment section and tell me why that is — perhaps you’ll be able to change my mind.

Now, let’s move on to the nitty-gritty. The biggest reason why I think Reddit is number one in the world of social media is because it’s not as superficial as networks like Facebook and Instagram. It adds real value to my life, as it allows me to learn about the things I care about. I use it to talk to people about stocks, discuss the latest trends in tech, and even share ideas and opinions on how to make the best pizza. There’s a subreddit for just about anything, so anyone can connect with like-minded people regardless of their interests.

In addition to learning, Reddit is also a great source of entertainment. There are so many funny memes, videos, jokes, and other threads to keep you occupied well past your bedtime. I love subreddits like r/unexpected and r/puns, as they frequently contain gems like this. And this. And this. The list just goes on.

The voting system is also far superior to most of those used by Facebook and other networking sites. Instead of just liking a post, you can downvote it as well. You can even give out awards to the posts that stand out from the crowd. All this combined makes it easier to spot popular posts as well as check out the most useful opinions in a thread with thousands of comments.

Then there’s the anonymity part. Many use their real names on Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks, while Reddit lets you hide behind your username. This translates to content that’s more authentic, as people don’t feel like they have to pretend or impress others as much. They open up more and are willing to share intimate stories from their lives that range from sex and drug use to relationship problems and health issues.

Reddit is the total opposite of the often picture-perfect Instagram, as it lets you know that life is not all sunshine and rainbows. A lot of its content is real, raw, and even depressing at times, which is what makes it so special.

Also read: The best Reddit apps for Android

You’d think that the biggest issue with Reddit’s anonymity is that you’ll have to deal with trolls and lots of hateful comments. While I admit there are plenty of those on the site as well as some subreddits that use the veil of anonymity to actively spread hatred and toxicity, the spread across the entire network is far less pervasive than on Facebook in my experience. Yes, it’s seen its fair share of controversies, but Reddit has also been a force for good on many occasions.

I’ve always seen Reddit as a massive support group, with people encouraging each other in different areas of life. Whether you have family issues, work-related problems, or just want to vent about your neighbor’s dog doing its business on your lawn, you can count on Redditors to offer advice and lift your spirit.

On top of all the advantages mentioned, Reddit also lets me do most of the things I can do on other social media sites. I can post images like on Instagram, share my thoughts like on Twitter, and connect with friends like on Facebook. Sure, there are differences in how these things work and are achieved, but they can be done.

I’ll admit that Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other networking sites have their pros and offer more than Reddit in some areas. But overall, Reddit is the superior option in the world of social media, at least in my book.

That’s my opinion, and now I want to hear yours! If you don’t agree with me, head to the comment section below, tell me why I’m wrong, and maybe you’ll be able to change my mind. I’ll do my best to reply to as many comments as possible so we can start a proper conversation. Also, share your opinion if you agree with my take — I’d love to see how many people are on my side.