Throw away your mobile phones – your vocal chords are now as redundant as your appendix. Social media is the new standard method of communication. Well, perhaps not yet. However, social media is certainly taking the internet by storm. Now anyone can “butt in” to your conversation and share their opinion. As a writer, in some cases you no longer have the final say. You cannot be biased or someone will show you up for what you are, and you have to make sure all the information you give is 100% accurate. If you do not, someone out there will correct you and your reputation will be damaged. Seriously, though, social media should not be classed as a fad. It is a very powerful tool for mass communication and is certainly here to stay.
Social media is present in many forms on the internet. Forums, blogs and content communities are all exceptionally popular. There is an extensive range of forums online – of which anyone can sign up and contribute. Forums exist to bring people who are like-minded together to share the same interests and hobbies. There are forums for breeders of specific dog pedigrees, people who enjoy calligraphy, practitioners of origami and even train spotters. Forum members have the choice of discussing problems or issues pertinent to the forum. They can also start polls awaiting other member’s opinions on a specific topic. There are even forums dedicated to helping people medically. Someone suffering from a certain affliction can post his or her symptoms and await diagnosis – after agreeing to all the legalities therein.
Blogs are also very popular ways of communicating on the internet. A blog is like a public journal where the writer describes what they are doing – as and when they feel the need. Bloggers, if interesting enough, often generate a fan base eager to find out what the blogger is going to be doing next. Blogs have been used to great effect by celebrities and politicians. In this case, the blog becomes a very effective method of generating rumour used to increase awareness of an issue or manipulate public opinion. Content communities offer a means for likeminded individuals to share digital media with each other. The media often shared, takes the form of photographs, videos, documents or software. Content communities are great for sharing a family photo album or video.
As you can see, social media is a very powerful internet tool used for communication. It brings people together even if they are living in different countries around the world. Social media is the 21st century’s means to share opinions and ideas.
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