Social Media Analysis Project

Social Media Analysis Project

Throughout this course we have taken a look at the many ways in which social media is viewed and even used. Nowadays it is very clear that social media has a huge impact on our society. Some people use social media as a source to get their news, entertainment, and even stay in contact with family. While others might use social media to play video games, watch cat videos, or even follow their favorite companies social presence. There people who have a negative and some who have a positive outlook on social media. For this essay, I am arguing that social media is the best form of communication to raise awareness on serious issues such as social justice, and life threatening illnesses.

The first cause that social media helps play a role in is raising awareness and donations to illnesses and diseases. One example that we will look at is the famous ALS ice bucket challenge. This ice bucket challenge was a social media phenomenon that involves dumping a bucket of ice and water on someone's head to promote awareness of the disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and also raise money for research. This ice bucket challenge allowed scientists to discover 2 new genes and raise millions of dollars (Rodgers, 2016). With such a high number of users on the internet it really took over social media by storm. One of the biggest reasons was the use of influencers and celebrities to bring awareness by the amount of followers they have. With huge influencer, and tastemakers, all it it takes is for someone like them to retweet or talk about a certain cause for it to gain popularity.

Social Media differs from other forms of communication in that it can be easily filtered. When things can be filtered it allows the spreading of certain content to reach the masses in a very quick and creative ways. What is seen and heard on television, radio, and magazine is all chosen by gatekeepers. Gatekeepers are people that decide what is viewed and talked about in society. With social media, the people decide what is viewed and talked about. People use hashtags to filter through the internet in search of what interests them. However it gives society a chance to see what is going on through the lens of average day citizens vs CEO's and magazine editors. There are literally some hashtags that have changed the world. For example #blacklivesmatter. This hashtag alone has been used by hundreds of high profile celebrities on their personal social media profiles in efforts to raise awareness of mass shootings of unarmed civilians. This hashtag has also been used by hundreds of thousands of protesters who are calling to stop police brutality and the killing of unarmed African-Americans in the United States (Weedston, 2014). Other Hashtags have been used like #blacklivesmatter to raise awareness to racism, sexism, gender discrimination, and a variety of other social justice issues that news often forgets or chooses not to talk about.

The use of real-time is the also one of the most valuable tool that social media gives the world. During the terrorist attacks in 2015, social media was used to warn others about what was going on. This gave hundreds of people a chance to get ready just in case other attacks would happen. Allowing real time pictures, updates, and info to be posted really helped everyone focus their attention on Paris and give them full support (Budman, 2015). Other attacks in the Middle East and Europe all made their way to social media platforms, where thousands of people updated the world in real-time about what they were experiences from a firs person point of view. 

So what does this all mean? in other words, social media is the most influential form of media and communication being used right now. Messages can reach people all across the globe in a matter of seconds and in ways that really catch people's attention. Social media truly brings out the most creative minds and allows true freedom of expression. No restrictions, no scripts, just raw truth. Some people can't handle the truth, but most want and seek it out. Some may view this negatively, but without people on television telling us what to watch, social media fills the world in on important and revolutionary events. However people can also use it to make dog and cat videos go viral.

One thing that critics might have about social media is that info could be inaccurate. With the thousands of people retreating, posting on Facebook and Instagram, you are bound to run into some inaccurate sources. However that is the case with all media, and this also includes the news on television. People shouldn't believe everything they hear, it's up to the individual to research and decide what is true or not. It is also up to the individual to decide whether to not they are using social media to watch cat videos or engage in social justice topics surrounding the globe. This is also the case with social media. It's often the case during shooting or attacks, that people start stating death tolls everything is still going on. It's wise for people to realize that in the heat of the moment, a lot of information is going on and they it is best to wait until all the facts are out.

The bottom line is that Social media has been and will continue to be used as the true voice of the people. Before social media, it was almost impossible to start a social justice impact. There would be shootings, robberies, and global injustice. With the limited and and influenced formed of communication at the time, it was hard to real get the work to see the truth and hear from the voices that actually matter. Now with a clever hashtag, a celebrity endorsement, and maybe even a trendy slogan or logo, social media will let anyone become the next famous activist. It could also help ring light to a new matter than television or the mainstream isn't paying attention to.

I believe that the use of effective social media should be taught more in schools and colleges. With the help of social media, new diseases have been discovered, money has been raised for illnesses, lives have been saved, and government unlawfulness has been exposed. Social media can achieve things that other forms of communication can't these days. We must embrace it, but also be careful of it's powers. Use social media with great caution because the power to influence and change is out there, so lets keep it in a positive direction.

References

Budman, S (2015). Social Media Plays Role in Helping Spread Information During Paris Attacks. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Social-Media-Plays-Role-in-Helping-Spread-Information-During-Paris-Attacks-350796061.html

Lindsey Weedston, L (Dec 19, 2014) 12 Hashtags That Changed the World in 2014. http://www.yesmagazine.org/people-power/12-hashtags-that-changed-the-world-in-2014

Rodgers, K. (July 27, 2016) The ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ Helped Scientists Discover a New Gene Tied to A.L.S. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/28/health/the-ice-bucket-challenge-helped-scientists-discover-a-new-gene-tied-to-als.html?_r=0

Privacy and Social Media

1) After reading our lecture 8 items and watching The Curly Fry Conundrum, discuss the term "self regulation".

Self-regulation is simple idea that is sometimes overlooked. It is when people heavily evaluate, analyze and think before posting something on social media to best help them play a safe and professional role in the internet. Everything that we post online is a footprint in the digital world. Retarget marketing is when companies take what you have been searching online and advertise or recommend certain things to you. This goes to shows that what you look up online even in the privacy in your own home is recognized by people out in the real world. So be very careful.

2) Currently, there is a huge battle between 1st amendment privacy, information sharing, and data mining online. In your opinion, should we do away with online privacy and self regulating? Or should the government step in and start regulating online content?

This is a very touchy and complex question right now. People want privacy online to help protect their children and loved ones, however corporations want the data from millions of people to advertise and help reach certain markets. Take google for example, when people search certain types of content on the web this really determines the SERP for future content. This means that this person will be in their own little filter bubble of searchable content that is based off of their past history os searching the web. I think that people need to have the choice of whether or not their information is trackable or not. However this can also be threat to national security. I also believe that being able to see what kind of things people are searching can give the government great leads to keep people safe and sound. In the end I think that people's information on the web (besides emails) should be public information, mostly for security reasons.