Bulletin board systems let people connect to software that hosted public message boards, which displayed news and bulletins to all users. Some bulletin boards offered multiplayer gaming, while others enabled direct messaging or chat rooms. Social media encompasses all the platforms and apps that allow people, creators, and businesses to communicate with one another, create online communities, exchange ideas, and share content. Today, nearly all business-to-consumer websites have social components, such as comment fields or social sharing buttons, that make engagement easy. Various tools help companies track, measure, and analyze how their brand is perceived across social media platforms. The interactive nature of social media has also transformed how people engage with information and with each other.
So, what is social media?
Some platforms allow users to connect with others who share their political views or leisure hobbies. Social media use grew rapidly in the 2000s and early 2010s as Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) became popular. Like MySpace, Facebook users create profiles to share information about themselves, while other users leave comments. Initially used for socializing among college-age users, social media became popular with younger and older users. Concerns over the possible negative effects of social media are also growing in tandem with the burgeoning technology. Some studies also suggest a strong tie between heavy social media use and increased depression, anxiety, loneliness, suicidal tendencies, and feelings of inadequacy.
The initial intent of social media was to make communication and connection accessible from a distance and has developed into a technology that serves endless other purposes. When you use a social media platform via a web browser or some official apps, that platform may be able to track what you do when you use your web browser to surf the web or shop online. With social media, you can share your photos and videos with people around the world. Social media platforms also collect and store your personal information that you provide when you sign up, and they track and record your interests and online behaviour. This may include the web pages you visit and the amount of time you spend on them.
- It seems as if everyone has their own personal opinion of what social media is and isn’t.
- The US Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, has called for warnings about the mental health impact of social media on young people, highlighting the need for awareness and responsible usage.
- Social media is a way for people to connect, and many times that is what it is used for.
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This activity will introduce you to social media, how it works and why it’s so popular. Traditional media was mentioned earlier on in this article just to demonstrate broader examples of media, but don’t be fooled into thinking that TV, radio, and newspapers are a part of social media. The line drawn between the two is slowly thinning as each continues to evolve. The following list of common features is often dead giveaways of a social media site. If you’re questioning whether a particular site could Wolf Winner Facebook be classified as social or not, try looking for at least one of these features. Yes, it’s a broad definition—but keep in mind that social media is a very broad term.
Users could interact with each other’s content, including liking, sharing, and commenting on posts. Social media refers to online platforms where users can share information and connect with virtual communities through text, video, photos, and other content. As of 2024, social media had more than five billion global users, which is equal to more than 62% of the world population. This includes apps or websites designed for messaging and chat, social platforms (like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok), and community forums, such as Reddit and Discord.
Because of the constant change of social media, we cannot say what all the effects will be, but the topics mentioned above are the most widely known and spoken on aspects. Further exploration into these topics will be discussed in later chapters of this section. Critics say many of these measures risk stifling free expression, but regulators say stricter controls are needed to protect users and preserve social order.
The Influence of TikTok on the Big 5 Social Media Platforms
X, previously known as Twitter, and LinkedIn also hold significant positions in the social network, social media landscape, and social networking sites. X, with its emphasis on real-time updates and short-form content, has become a vital tool for news dissemination and public discourse. LinkedIn, on the other hand, focuses on professional networking, providing a platform for career development and business connections. Each platform boasts over 100 million registered users, highlighting their widespread influence and utility. The diversity of social media platforms reflects the wide range of human interests and needs.
The placards being carried by the protestors, who claimed that they are protesting against the authoritarian attitude of the authorities, had slogans like “enough is enough” and “end to corruption”. Stop corruption, not social media,” the crowds chanted, waving national flags. Monday’s rally was called the protest of Gen Z, which generally refers to people born between 1995 and 2010. Several widely used social networks, including Facebook, X and YouTube were blocked in the Himalayan nation last week after failing to comply with a new requirement to register and submit to government oversight.
Snapchat is a social media platform that’s really at the forefront of social media evolution. Rather than blasting out updates for all our friends and followers to see, we use Snapchat more as we communicate in real life—with specific people only at specific times. Social media isn’t all just fun and games with your friends, celebrities you admire, and brands you follow. There are lots of common problems that most major social media platforms haven’t totally solved, despite their effort to do so. Snapchat’s appeal is short-form content, with peer-to-peer and public “Stories” functions.