Social media are interactive technologies that facilitate the creation and sharing of information, ideas, interests, and other forms of expression through virtual communities and networks. While challenges to the definition of social media arise due to the variety of stand-alone and built-in social media services currently available, there are some common features: Social media are interactive Web 2.0 Internet-based applications. User-generated content—such as text posts or comments, digital photos or videos, and data generated through all online interactions—is the lifeblood of social media.
In 2019, Merriam-Webster defined social media as “forms of electronic communication (such as websites for social networking and microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content (such as videos).” While the variety of evolving stand-alone and built-in social media services makes it challenging to define them, marketing and social media experts broadly agree that social media includes the following 13 types:
- Blogs (ex. Huffington Post, Boing Boing)
- Business networks (ex. LinkedIn, XING)
- Collaborative projects (ex. Wikipedia, Bitcoin)
- Content communities (ex. YouTube, Flickr, Pinterest)
- Discussion forums (ex. Reddit, Quora)
- Instant messaging (ex. WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger)
- Microblogging (ex. Twitter, Tumblr)
- Online social networks (ex. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn)
- Personal websites/blogs (ex. Blogger, WordPress)
- Professional networking sites (ex. LinkedIn)
- Social bookmarking (ex. Delicious, StumbleUpon)
- Social gaming (ex. FarmVille, Candy Crush)
- Virtual worlds (ex. Second Life, World of Warcraft)
Social media platforms allow users to connect with friends and family, share information and ideas, and build relationships. They can also be used for marketing and advertising, customer service, and political activism.
Social media has become an integral part of our lives. In 2022, over 4.62 billion people were using social media worldwide. This number is expected to grow to 5.92 billion by 2025.
Social media has a number of benefits, including:
- Staying connected with friends and family: Social media allows us to stay connected with friends and family who live far away. We can share photos, videos, and updates about our lives with them.
- Sharing information and ideas: Social media allows us to share information and ideas with a wide audience. This can be a great way to learn about new things and to connect with people who share our interests.
- Building relationships: Social media can be a great way to build relationships with people who share our interests. We can connect with people who live in our area, who work in our field, or who have similar hobbies.
- Marketing and advertising: Businesses can use social media to market and advertise their products and services. They can create social media pages and groups to connect with potential customers.
- Customer service: Businesses can use social media to provide customer service. They can answer questions, resolve complaints, and offer support to their customers.
- Political activism: Social media can be used for political activism. People can use social media to raise awareness about issues, to organize protests, and to mobilize voters.
However, social media also has some risks, including:
- Cyberbullying: Cyberbullying is the use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature.
- Privacy concerns: Social media platforms collect a lot of data about their users. This data can be used to track users’ online activity and to target them with advertising.
- Addiction: Social media can be addictive. People who spend too much time on social media can neglect their real-world relationships and responsibilities.
- Fake news: Social media can be used to spread fake news. This can have a negative impact on people’s understanding of the world and can lead to political polarization.
Overall, social media is a powerful tool that can be used for good or for bad. It is important to be aware of the risks and benefits of social media before using it.
“Social media” and “social networks” are related concepts that are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings and characteristics. Let’s break down the differences between the two:
Social Media: Social media refers to the digital platforms and technologies that allow users to create, share, and consume content in various formats, such as text, images, videos, and links. Social media platforms are online spaces where users can connect, communicate, and engage with others, as well as with content from various sources. Social media encompasses a wide range of online communication tools and services, including blogs, forums, microblogging platforms, image sharing platforms, video sharing platforms, and more.
Examples of social media platforms include:
- Facebook: A platform that allows users to create profiles, connect with friends, share posts, photos, and videos, and engage with content from others.
- Twitter: A microblogging platform where users can share short messages (tweets) with their followers.
- Instagram: A platform for sharing photos and videos, often accompanied by captions and hashtags.
- YouTube: A video sharing platform where users can upload, watch, and interact with videos.
Social Networks: Social networks are specific types of social media platforms that focus on facilitating connections and interactions among individuals or entities. A social network is a digital space where users can create profiles, connect with other users (often referred to as “friends,” “followers,” or “connections”), and communicate with them directly or indirectly through shared content.
In other words, social networks are a subset of social media platforms that emphasize building and maintaining relationships with other users. These platforms often revolve around user profiles, friend lists, follower counts, and the ability to interact with others’ content through likes, comments, shares, etc.
Examples of social networks that are also social media platforms include:
- Facebook: It serves as both a social network and a broader social media platform where users can connect with friends and engage with various types of content.
- LinkedIn: A professional networking platform where users can connect with colleagues, employers, and other professionals.
- Twitter: While it’s a microblogging platform, it also functions as a social network where users can follow and interact with each other.
In summary, while “social media” is a broader term that encompasses various online platforms for content sharing and interaction, “social networks” specifically refer to platforms that facilitate connections and interactions among users, often centered around personal profiles and relationships.
Here is a detailed table that categorizes various aspects of social media, including sections and subsections, along with explanations for each:
| Section | Subsection | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Social Media Platforms | 1.1. Social Networks | Platforms focused on connecting people and enabling them to share content and communicate. |
| 1.1.1. Facebook | A platform for sharing updates, photos, and videos with friends and family. | |
| 1.1.2. LinkedIn | A professional networking site for connecting with colleagues and industry professionals. | |
| 1.2. Microblogging | Platforms for sharing short posts or updates. | |
| 1.2.1. Twitter | Allows users to post and interact with short messages called tweets. | |
| 1.2.2. Tumblr | A platform for sharing multimedia and other content in short-form blog posts. | |
| 1.3. Photo Sharing | Platforms for sharing and discovering photos. | |
| 1.3.1. Instagram | A photo and video sharing social networking service. | |
| 1.3.2. Pinterest | A platform for discovering and saving creative ideas and inspiration in the form of images. | |
| 1.4. Video Sharing | Platforms for sharing and discovering videos. | |
| 1.4.1. YouTube | A video-sharing website where users can upload, view, and share videos. | |
| 1.4.2. TikTok | A platform for creating and sharing short-form videos. | |
| 1.5. Messaging Apps | Platforms primarily used for sending messages and communicating in real-time. | |
| 1.5.1. WhatsApp | An app for sending text messages, voice messages, images, and videos. | |
| 1.5.2. WeChat | A multi-purpose messaging, social media, and mobile payment app. | |
| 1.6. Discussion Forums | Platforms for open discussion on various topics. | |
| 1.6.1. Reddit | A network of communities where people can dive into their interests, hobbies, and passions. | |
| 1.6.2. Quora | A platform for asking questions and getting answers from people with expertise or experience. |
| Section | Subsection | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 2. Social Media Features | 2.1. User Profiles | Personal pages where users share information about themselves. |
| 2.1.1. Profile Picture | A photo that represents the user on the platform. | |
| 2.1.2. Bio | A short description or introduction about the user. | |
| 2.2. Content Creation | Tools and options for creating and sharing content. | |
| 2.2.1. Posts | Text, images, or videos shared on a user’s profile or feed. | |
| 2.2.2. Stories | Temporary posts that disappear after a set period, typically 24 hours. | |
| 2.3. Interaction | Ways users can engage with content and other users. | |
| 2.3.1. Likes | A feature for users to show appreciation for a post. | |
| 2.3.2. Comments | Text responses to posts. | |
| 2.3.3. Shares | Reposting content to one’s own profile or feed. | |
| 2.4. Privacy Settings | Options for controlling who can see and interact with one’s content. | |
| 2.4.1. Public/Private Profiles | Settings to make a profile visible to everyone or only to approved followers. | |
| 2.4.2. Blocking and Reporting | Tools to block or report users for inappropriate behavior. |
| Section | Subsection | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 3. Social Media Marketing | 3.1. Advertising | Paid content aimed at promoting products or services. |
| 3.1.1. Sponsored Posts | Posts that businesses pay to have displayed prominently. | |
| 3.1.2. Pay-Per-Click Ads | Ads that charge businesses each time a user clicks on them. | |
| 3.2. Influencer Marketing | Collaboration with influential users to promote products or services. | |
| 3.2.1. Brand Ambassadors | Influencers who represent and promote a brand over a longer period. | |
| 3.2.2. Sponsored Content | Content created by influencers in partnership with a brand. | |
| 3.3. Analytics and Metrics | Tools for measuring and analyzing performance on social media. | |
| 3.3.1. Engagement Rates | Metrics that measure interactions (likes, comments, shares) with content. | |
| 3.3.2. Reach and Impressions | Metrics that measure how many people have seen content and how often it has been seen. |
| Section | Subsection | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 4. Social Media Impact | 4.1. Social Impact | The effect of social media on society and individuals. |
| 4.1.1. Mental Health | The positive and negative effects of social media on mental well-being. | |
| 4.1.2. Community Building | How social media fosters communities and support networks. | |
| 4.2. Economic Impact | The effect of social media on businesses and the economy. | |
| 4.2.1. E-commerce Integration | How social media platforms facilitate online shopping and transactions. | |
| 4.2.2. Job Creation | New jobs and roles that have emerged due to social media. | |
| 4.3. Political Impact | The influence of social media on politics and public opinion. | |
| 4.3.1. Campaigning | The use of social media for political campaigns and advocacy. | |
| 4.3.2. Misinformation | The spread of false information and its consequences. |
This table covers a broad range of aspects related to social media, from platforms and features to marketing strategies and societal impacts.
