From the 2004 launch of Facebook
during my freshman year in college to my recent Pinterest addiction, it is hard
to remember a time before social media. The first thing I do when I wake up is
grab my IPhone to check my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts. Once I get
ready, I check my personal emails to prepare myself for the day. At work, I use
Salesforce to post news stories, upload important documents, and interact with
coworkers. The Salesforce platform resembles Facebook and Twitter; however I
still do not get my social media fix while using it so I constantly check my
other accounts or answer texts throughout the day. Once I get home, I usually emerge
myself into a good Netflix movie or watch Mixed Martial Arts YouTube videos
with my fiancé….yes I’m a huge fan. I really enjoy getting out and networking
as well, so I also post to LinkedIn and MeetUp. So to keep count, I use around
nine or more social media applications a day. Too much?
The negative side to this is
that it can take you away from reality. Most of us are digital
natives and around fast-paced technology all day. This can cause our
attention span to become shorter. I do not remember the last time my friends
and I went out for dinner and we did not check in on Facebook or take pictures of
our food to post online. In the article, “True Story: I Went Two Weeks without
Social Media,” one commentator stated regarding new media, “But after an
anniversary weekend away, I realize I’m addicted. It made my hubby mad too,
because everywhere we went and everything we did, I had to tag it or Instagram
it. I need to get a grip” (as cited in Robison, 2013, para. 11). With the
constant sharing and posting of every little detail of our day, sometimes
we forget to just slow down and just enjoy the moment with our family and
friends. We all have been guilty of this. But to me, social media can be a positive
thing.
 |
Page, L.,Canivell, A., & Sarnesjo, J.
(2010). Unionization and New Media. Retrieved from
https://flic.kr/p/8tc4eJ
|
I actually received my job through
LinkedIn. Also, I like to keep up with my Twitter account for news events. This
is extremely convenient for me because all of my news is in one spot and I do not have
to go to several different sites online. I can read breaking news from my local
station then scroll down and read something from the Huffington Post or Forbes
magazine. Without new media, I honestly would not know about any social events
happening in my city either. MeetUp is an amazing app to meet people with your
same interests. This is not a dating app, but more like a hobby app. For
instance, I love health and working out. I have joined about three fitness
groups on MeetUp and because of that I get to attend free weekly boot camps and
have made lifelong friends that are supportive and have similar fitness goals.
Connecting with people who share my same interests that I probably would have
never met on my own is an amazing feeling. To me, social media can have this
positive impact on many people. Sharing creative recipes through Pinterest,
vlogging your trip to Costa Rica or trying to raise money for a good cause on
Facebook is what social media is all about and it is incredible. We can be
informed about what is happening around the globe instantly. Most importantly, people
from around the world are able to socialize and learn about each other’s culture
and beliefs.
Robison, A. (2013). True story:
I went two weeks without social media. Independent Fashion Bloggers. Retrieved
from http://heartifb.com/2013/01/07/true-story-i-went-two-weeks-without-social-media/
Hi Kareta!
ReplyDeleteSounds to me like you are an addict with a cause! Cheers to you for using social media to stay informed and give back. Your involvement in different social groups shows you have effectively used your resources to your advantage. Connecting with people who have similar goals to yours can also be motivating.
Thank you! It is amazing to find people that share your same goals and can support you. Many people feel that social media takes the emotions out of relationships, but if used correctly, it can do the opposite. I have met great new friends thanks to my involvement in online networking.
DeleteHi Kareta,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that social media does distract people form their everyday life and making us forget to live without technology. I think that is the biggest negative influence new media has on the world today. This influence is always going to be a big problem and I don't think it will ever get better, but you turned it around and made social media a positive thing in your life. I think trying to use social media as a tool to get connected is such an easy social interaction that we forget how to interact face to face with people.
Yes Lauren you are right! There has been many times that someone joins our online fitness group and they are very talkative and share their exercises, etc. throughout the day everyday. Then as soon as we all meet for boot camp class in person or meet up to go to a new health food restaurant, they are extremely introverted and shy. It is like they forget how to interact, connect, and communicate in person! This is a huge problem that I wish social media didn't influence, but it unfortunately definitely does.
Delete