Social Media is defined by Merriam-Webster as “forms of electronic communication (as Web sites for social networking and microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content (as videos)” (Merriam-Webster), and for many Americans is a method of social interaction that is used often on a daily basis. It has been determined that one in five people use social media at least once a day and that 19% of Americans between the age of 15 and 54 are on sites like Facebook and Twitter(). It’s no longer common place to send handwritten letters or birthday cards, now writing on a wall, sending a tweet or snapping a picture is accepted. Although social media has provided todays society with instant forms of communication and ways to connect, it also created a new standard for living and has caused problems for many groups of citizens in all walks of life and has caused society to re-think its usage. There are two views about social media, either that. It is a positive addition to society and its benefits outweigh the risks, or that social media causes more harm than good and it’s usage should be limited.
Some of the ideas that are central to the idea that social media is a benefit to today’s society are that social media encourages increased communication with friends and family, provides fast access to breaking news and other information, and help business attract new business and correspond more quickly with their existing customers. Increased communication is important in all aspects of life. Keeping in touch with family and friends is easier than ever before. Whether it be a Facebook post or a tweet updating friends about exciting news or being able to see a picture...
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...e to get information more quickly. I was having an issue with my cable box and rather than calling up Time Warner and being on hold, I was able to tweet their support handle and get an answer and solution within minutes. I believe that the key to safe and secure social media begins with proper use. Illegal and highly discouraged activities should not be tolerated and consequences should be mandatory. In terms of social media use in teens and young adults, it is important for parents to teach their children what acceptable use of computers and social media is so that they can understand the potential danger and all minors should be monitored while using the Internet to ensure safe usage is being followed. Regardless of age, all users of social media should think twice before clicking the post button about what unintended consequences that post could have.
Social media has grown a lot over the past years in the way it allows us to be able to communicate with others around the world. According to Andrew Keen “On today’s internet everything we do–from our use of ecommerce, location services and email to online search, advertising and entertainment—is increasingly open and transparent.” Due to social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, etc. we are allowed to access different kind of information from friends and families lives and what is going on around them. In the article “Sharing is a Trap” Andrew Keen argues towards the negative side of social media and makes good points to back up his argument. Jeff Jarvis in the article “Get over it” argues more towards the positive outcome that can come from
Social media is also a great way to network for jobs, your own business and any number of things. Many businesses start on social media and expend beyond the internet. This is a great way for many people to see the goods for sales and a faster method of word to mouth. Social media has a large impact of today’s society both good and bad. Social media is driven by people’s needs to connect and interact with others on a more convenient way outside of a face to face, or a phone call.
The dictionary defines social media as websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking. To society, we recognize social media as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. Social media is a global phenomenon that can be recognized all around the world by people of different ages. We have gotten to the point where individuals as young as five years old are able to recognize what social media is before they can even read. The power bestowed by social media gives people the ability to find out what is happening in the lives of other people and give people insight into what is happening in our own life. However, has our society taken the social media trend overboard? Social media has placed the idea that posting every event that occurs in a person’s life is acceptable, whether it be what a person had for breakfast or what a person did that day. Privacy has become non existent. It has made individuals consumed in what other people are doing, rather than focusing on bettering their own life. A majority of the population bases what they post on these websites
Social media is so popular that according to a recent article published by forbes.com, “72% of American adults are currently using social media sites; that figure has gone up 800% in just 8 years”(Olenski). Social networking was originally created to simply reconnect people with old high school pals, but in recent years it has evolved into a completely different operation. When social media first originated it was also intended for adult usage, which has in recent years expanded into the usage of all ages. Social media can create a negative affect on lives because it has been proven to be a dangerous addiction, for it takes away interpersonal relationships that are essential in life, and it has been proven to prevent people from being productive in life.
The positive part of using social media is using them to get closer to people. There has been a time in life where it been difficult to contact people, without actually going to their house, seeing them at school or a workplace. Thanks to social media, it made us easier to reach people, so we can easily communicate with them. For instance, a lot of folks use an application called ``Facebook`,` which is a great use for contact, sending files or
Contemporary social movements such as Arab Spring and Kony 2012 use the Internet and social media as potential tools towards change. But why are some more successful than others. This paper argues that when news outlets see the potential for change, they “premediate” (Richard Grusin) its possibilities, and make that change ever more possible in their coverage. On the other hand, extant stories that are more reactionary do not get the same amount of new exposure, and remain static. In other words, our media - not just social media, but news organizations - play a great role in shaping current events. I will compare and contrast the unfolding of the Arab Spring story, and how little changed regarding Kony 2012, as cases in point. Both of these events were propelled by something we use in our every day lives: the internet. The network of connections that internet has, was able to bring these two social changes to not only there home countries but also to the entire world. With the rise of social media and the increasing news coverages, the Arab Spring and Kony 2012 were able to show just how much power the internet can have on change in the world.
Social Media has been the center of a controversy that seems to only deepen as time passes. I believe that the use of social media improves the lives of countless people, worldwide, every day. It allows for further business communication and networking opportunities, keeping in touch with family and friends, bands/artists with their fanbase, and can also help connect students and their teachers or businesses with their clients or partners.
Although the future for us is social media and it provides us with useful benefits, there are also opposing benefits that make technology influence us in a negative way. Social media has pros and cons; pros being for an example a source of communication, building relations, and widening news. While on the other hand cons being all the time wasted using the form of social media you are using and at the same time becoming dependent, relying on technology instead of daily knowledge, and by dispersing so much information about yourself forming menacing threats unconsciously. These are just one of the few effects that social media vests to any person who chooses to have a part in.
Overall, Social media networks have impacted the American culture and presented very critical challenges. Social media networks are a great tool people have, and would not be as harming if each individual knew how to use them efficiently. Everything in excessive is bad, but when used in moderation and efficiently can bring many rewards. One of the most important aspects social media has provided to humans is the facilitated access to communicate to one another. But with the overwhelming advancements in social media, people are becoming disorientated and slaves of these great communication resource. It is in each individual's responsibility to learn how to use social media to their benefit. Social media the so called “the doubled edged sword” can either greatly assist you or harm you. It is up to you to differentiate and control the power on which you use it.
The internet is an amazing avenue for people to explore. They can do research, learn about new things and generally find things that inspire them. Throughout my many years of using the internet and using social media, I have discovered new things about the world and about myself as an individual. Social media provides a window of interaction, it connects users to others in seconds. Not only does it give people a chance to have conversations with someone they know or someone new from across the world, it lets users inspire and encourage one another to be extraordinary and unique through being themselves.
The internet has a greater impact on people in society today more than ever before. Social media has offered the opportunity for people and families to reconnect with each other, their old friends, make new friends, exchange ideas, share pictures and videos and many other activities. Social media allows social networking to happen extremely efficiently. Not only has social media affected my life but also impacted with innumerable advantages and disadvantages. One of the main impacts social media had on my life is and still does is communication and socialization. Social media provides a platform for me to easily interact with anyone and everyone. With the advancement in technology, communication is easier than it has ever been before. Online communication of social media, email, and Facetime has taken over the world. Having my entire family in Poland, communication is what keeps us in touch through social media. Instead of waiting weeks to receive a letter from my family in Poland, a message through facebook is much quicker. The safety aspect is a huge aspect that deals with communication.
Social media sites have taken over almost everyone’s house; almost everyone has an account in one of social media sites or at least knows what social media sites are. Rouse and Wigmore (2012) pointed out that “Social media is the collective of online communications channels dedicated to community-based input, interaction, content-sharing and collaboration.” So basically, social media sits are free sites that anyone can sing up for in order to keep in touch and communicate with others. In addition, Rouse and Wigmore gave some example of social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit.
Social media can be used in our days as a very helpful tool for many things in changing any person’s life ant attitude. It has a positive impact on the society level. These media will keep the person socially active and open to all what happened in the world. Sharing the latest news, photos, finding new friends and knowing the culture. Also, it allows for millions to keep in touch with each other and update for all the new technology. And, it helps people who have difficulties in communication with others to be more socialized and stronger and develop more confidence to feel more comfortable, protected and relaxed just sitting behind a screen. “It saved me time and money without ever requiring me to leave the house; it salvaged my social life, allowed me to conduct interviews as a reporter and kept a lifeline open to my far-flung extended family” says Leonard(231).
There are about one and a half billion users of social media worldwide. It can be used to meet new people, find old friends, chat the day away, join interest groups, or even to share pictures. Social networks were mostly created so people could meet and find new friends. What most users of social media don't know, are the dangers of using social media. One example is when you meet a person online, because they are not always who they say they are. If someone is not who you may think they are, who could they be? They can be a stalker or a person that wants to steal your identity; which could be done easily thanks to new developments of new technology. Also thanks to new technology it is now easier for people using your information to track you. Posting personal information can risk your family and friends lives. Social media can be used as a weapon against you. It can even lead to a kidnapping, or even someone's death. Many people use social media to help to waste time, but could also become an unhealthy addiction. Also social media can damage your future. When you are a teen you tend to post pretty much anything you want. This is dangerous because you can post too much personal information. What most teens don't realize is that what they do on social media now can affect them for the rest of their life. It can even come back to haunt you in the future. Social media is dangerous because it makes it easier to be stalked, identity theft to happen, kidnappings and murders, and also can ruin your future.
Social media is a controversy topic in today’s society. Some people think that social media destroys human interaction and real life human relationships. While others think that social media is a bless to humanity. Social media makes human interaction much more convenient and much faster than real life human interaction, it makes globalization a reality, it gives a chance for introverted people to express themselves, and it also benefit develop international relationships whether its business or social.