TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit etc
The list of social media platforms goes on and on. And on. And then on again. The algorithms that platforms use to shape our newsfeeds, directing us to certain content also tells developers what people are engaging with the most. This in turn leads to the development of new platforms to give users more of what they want.
This great video from The Quell Group shows the history of social platform evolution, from the launch of the first recognised social network through to the modern day multitude of options.
The History of Social Media
Video Credit: The Quell Group
Just how many people actually use Social Media
Social media platforms are incredibly popular, attracting billions of new users every month. A recent report from Datareportal showed that over half of the world’s population now uses social networking. The full report goes into incredible detail about internet usage, gaming, and all sorts of other fascinating areas. Check out the slide show version below:
What are the Good and Bad points about Social Media?
We hear a lot about the negative impact social platforms have. However there are positives to these networks, otherwise they wouldn’t still exist, and thrive the way that they do.
Good Points
The BBC MyWorld team explores the benefits of social media in this video:
Video Credit: BBC My World
Bad Points
ThoughtGround puts forward their findings on the negative side of social networking:
Video Credit: ThoughtGround
What we post online is there forever
Thinking about what content we choose to upload is critical. With many businesses now incorporating social media checks into their vetting process for potential employees, photos, videos or comments made even what back when someone was a teenage may cause problems later on.
Video Credit: Common Sense Education
So what happens if we ditch social networks?
Well, let’s ask someone!
Lucy Allen is a self identified Gen Z content creator who deleted her social media platforms. Here’s what she had to say about it:
Video Credit: Lucy Allan
Moderation is Key!
As we have seen, socials have both benefits and drawbacks. It’s a guilty pleasure that most of us indulge in perhaps too much. Why not try checking how much time a day you spend on networking apps or websites – the numbers may really shock you! Like any guilty pleasure, the key to healthy social media usage is moderation. After all, too much of even a good thing can be bad for you.
Title Image Source: Pixabay
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