Week1 B: Social Media Use Today

Social media is a helpful and necessary resource in today’s fast-paced life. Twenty years ago, people used the daily newspaper to gain information about their community and local news. Today, most of those outlets have disappeared or are so outdated that they are not useful. I use Facebook to connect with other local moms. It is a tremendous resource for finding local pediatricians, arranging playdates, and locating information on area activities. I use Instagram to post personal pictures and follow close friends. Pinterest is the resource I use to find recipes and ideas for parties. Pinterest has replaced most of my cookbooks because it is so much easier to store and find recipes and party ideas on their site. When I worked, I updated my LinkedIn page with my promotions, education, and professional accomplishments. LinkedIn allowed me to network and maintain professional connections. 

 

People use social media in many ways. My husband (who works for a large social network company) completes a large portion of his work communication within the platform. An increasing number of people use social networks to gain information and news. In the last few years, social media has also become a place to find and purchase items. The algorithms they use are incredibly accurate. Social media began with the goal to connect people socially, but it has quickly replaced newspapers, reshaped the workplace, and targeted consumers with customized advertising. 

 

The algorithms used by social media to target consumers are also used to classify pollical ideas. Because they are so accurate, they can create an echo chamber or a vacuum where people's ideas (some misguided) become reinforced or go unchecked (or unchallenged). It is a concern because when information is unvetted or inaccurate and the misinformation is continually reinforced by the algorithm, polarization occurs. 

 

Overall, social media has enhanced connections within communities, created vast resources of information, and streamlined communication. However, it is not a perfect vehicle for all interactions. It does not replace authentic human relationships or provide solely scholarly articles. Using social media is not appropriate for all communication, but it is a powerful tool to connect with customers and communities.