Social media, like everything else it needs a balance, the good and the bad. It has become a part of every day life, whether we like it or not. The question is how do we use it?
The extreme use of social media has decreased the amount of face to face human contact. Interacting with others is now so effortless that it can be suggested that social networking has instigated isolation. Making it easier for people to hide their identities behind a computer screen. Will humans someday evolve with no voice, bulging eyes and elongated fingers?!! … social zombie’s come to mind.
Lets be honest, it is much more convenient to ‘write a post’ rather than post a letter, you need a pen, a stamp, an envelope and a post box etc... you get the point. Slightly on the lazy side, but it is in fact a good form of communication. It is also a brave way of communicating, there is no physical contact involved, bringing with it a very confident selection of people, who can potentially use social networking as an attack on others, for example bullying and abusing mentally through this ‘convenient’ form of communication. Not good but it is there, it happens. 'Rumours are a projection of the individual who started them.'
This leads me to the use of narrating your own personal life through social media. Now its nice to know where you’ve been on your holidays and to have a browse at some photos etc, but knowing what you had for breakfast gets kind of tiring. I call this, the ‘addictive’ side of social media. The ones who wake up and the first thing they do is update their status…. to what exactly? “I have just woke up”? Bore.com, Seriously at least make yourself a brew first. I would much rather see someone’s potential through social media, show us what you can do, your goals your aspirations what inspires you…? Fill me with interest!
Personally I am a huge fan of LinkedIn, I call it ‘the professional facebook.’ It is brilliant for contacting important people who you may not be able to reach direct contact with. It is a canvas to display your skills, experience, and achievements to potential employers. It’s fully loaded with individuality! This is my up most favourite thing about social media… the way it can be used to your personal advantage, creating an opening for yourself, showcasing what you can do to the right people… Market yourself!
Social networking is a platform for advertising, use it to your advantage… It’s free! Whatever your skills are, you can push yourself out there… show it to the world!
I conclude, Social media is a tool, make it useful.
