If you think that websites such as Facebook and Twitter have no place in the office, think again.

With 3 101 billion active internet users, 2 078 billion active social media accounts worldwide, as well as 24. 9 million internet users in South Africa alone, employers simply cannot afford to ban social media in the office.

Yet, many of them still do.

Earlier in the year, We Are Social released their 2015 Digital, Social and Mobile report in which they tallied up social media stats from more than 240 countries across the continent. Apart from the astronomical internet user numbers revealed, the report is proof that social media is taking the world by storm, and businesses need to jump on the bandwagon.

While we understand that employees spending countless hours on social media is a problem, cutting them off completely could be doing you more harm than good. Here's why:

1. Social media facilitiates skill building

Internet users have grown from 39% in 2014 to 42% in 2015, proving that social media is becoming more embedded into our daily lives. What this means for your company is that your employees need to know how to effectively use the internet. For your business to grow, they need to be at the forefront of the social media trend. Giving them access to social media will allow them to be social media savvy, saving you time and money on training.

2. Social media enables instant research

Social media has become a news-on-the-go resource, where users can keep up to date with everything going on in and around the world. In South Africa, the number of active social media accounts has grown by 20% - increasing active social media accounts to 11.8 million.

By having your employees on social media websites, you’ll gain instant access to information as it evolves around you too. At the same time, your company will have a greater chance of reaching global heights as users from around the world learn more about what you do.

3. Social media boosts your credibility

A good reputation means everything in business. A bad reputation is a sure way to lose a highly talented workforce. Giving your employees access to social media will ensure you retain the best in your business, while also keeping your reputation intact. Plus, with the South African population spending twice as much time on internet-based products as opposed to TV, your company has a better chance of attracting more audiences online.

4. Social media allows collaboration

Although many employers frown upon the use of Facebook during office hours, there’s no denying its need in the workplace. Facebook facilitates internal collaboration, and allows users to collaborate with the whole world.

In South Africa, Facebook has become the second highest most visited social media network - a stat you want to take advantage of if your employees to come up with innovative solutions and ideas to problems.

5. Social media enables networking on a grand scale

Networking is valuable for your company because it expands your knowledge and that of your employees. You also want to know what other companies are doing and learn from their success and failures. Plus, as more and more South Africans use their mobiles to access social media, it makes connecting with your audience much quicker and easier.