Baskadia

Page 1: Introduction to Social Media

Social media is a digital technology that allows the sharing of ideas and information, including text and visuals, through virtual networks and communities. It has become an integral part of our daily lives, with more than 5 billion people around the world using social media. [2]

What is Social Media?

Social media refers to a variety of technologies that facilitate the sharing of ideas and information among their users. From Facebook and Instagram to X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube, more than 5 billion people use social media, equal to roughly 62% of the world’s population. [2]

History of Social Media

Social media started out as a way for people to interact with friends and family, but soon expanded to serve many different purposes. In 2004, MySpace was the first network to reach 1 million monthly active users. Social media participation exploded in the years that followed with the entry of Facebook and Twitter (now X). [2]

Page 2: Importance of Social Media

Social media serves several functions and is often used to share articles on news, politics, and culture; post comments, tweets, or blog entries; upload photos and videos; and exchange messages with other users. The popularity of social media has generated debate on a range of issues, from user safety and consumer privacy to the long-term effects on public health and companies' actions to keep their platforms free of disinformation. [2]

How Much Time Do People Spend on Social Media?

Internet users ages 16 to 64 worldwide spent a daily average of two hours and 31 minutes on social media as of late 2022, according to DataReportal, which adds that “social media now accounts for its greatest ever share of total online time, with almost four in every 10 minutes spent online now attributable to social media activities.” [2]

Page 3: Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing is the use of social networks as a sales and marketing tool. Companies with products or services to promote can go beyond traditional advertising to build an online presence and engage directly with their customers. In particular, social media marketing has opened up opportunities for local businesses to reach out to potential customers without spending a fortune on ad placement. [2]

What Social Media Is Used for Today

Social media platforms are often divided into six categories: social networking, social bookmarking, social news, media sharing, microblogging, and online forums. These diverse platforms serve a vast range of purposes and user interests. Some appeal to hobbyists, others to people in their work lives. People use them to find others around the globe who share their political or other views. Entertainers use social media to engage with fans, politicians with voters, and charities with donors. Governments often turn to social media to convey vital information during emergencies. [2]

Page 4: Popularity of Social Media

According to the digital media research and advisory firm Kepios, approximately 246 million people in the United States use social media as of January 2023. Though Kepios acknowledges that the online behaviors of specific users may indicate slight variances in the data, the figure represents 72.5 percent of the US population. In terms of popularity YouTube led all social media platforms tracked by Kepios, with 246 million US users in early 2023. [2]

Page 5: Pros and Cons of Social Media

Social media has both positive and negative effects on society. On the positive side, social media has made it easier for people to connect with each other, regardless of their geographical location. It has also made it easier for businesses to reach their target audience and for people to access information. On the negative side, social media has been linked to mental health issues, cyberbullying, and the spread of misinformation. [4]

I hope this article helps you understand social media better!