What is the value of social media?

We all know it distracts us, takes us away from family and friends, where our only connection is maybe a photograph that could have been shared in person? Especially sites like this, where none of those characteristics exist, like seeing your family and friends? It feels as social media creates more isolation and loneliness than a smile in person while people stare into a screen to tell a story they could have in voice.

What gives?