So what really is Social Media?
Maya E Dollarhide indicates “Social Media is computer based technology that facilitates the use of sharing ideas, thoughts and information through the building of virtual networks and communities” This gives the initial though of is social media just a basis for communication technologically?
In my own opinion, i feel social media in today’s society is a variety of platforms for the means of communication, network career opportunities, finding people with similar interests, sharing thoughts, feelings insight and emotions. It isn’t just for finding and communicating with friends and family, social media can be used professionally to showcase individual’s key skills and interest, for businesses and professionals to connect for careers.
Social Media History
When did Social Media really start evolving?
From early 20th century, technology rapidly evolved. After the first super computers were created in the 1940s, engineers and scientists began to develop ways to create networks through computers, this then lead to the making of the Internet. Between 1960 and 1980 the formation of the Internet greatly emerged with the use of email, relay chats and virtual newspapers had been created.
By the late 1990s, the first social media site was created called Six Degrees, it enabled users to upload profiles and make friends with other users. After the invention of blogging, social media started booming. In the early 2000’s sites such as Linkedin, MySpace and YouTube surfaced, creating a new way for people to communicate and share with each other across distances.
By 2006, Facebook(2004) and Twitter surfaced the world of Social Media, Shortly after platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp and Tumblr were available for users throughout the world.
Today, the above sites remain some of the most popular social media platforms with over 2 Billion users monthly.
Top 7 Social Media Platforms
With the variety of Social Media Platforms available in today’s society, below describes the top 7 platforms and how many active monthly users are using each platform.
Professional and Personal Social Media Account
What is the difference between a personal and professional Social Media Account?
Personal Social Media Profile
A Personal Social Media Profile is considered an unprofessional account that you can post whatever is felt necessary, above states what to post within personal accounts.
Professional Social Media Profile
A Professional Social Media account, is felt where you should “show off your best self”, It shouldn’t just include what you choose to publish about yourself. Honorable achievements that others have shared about you should also be included, this is things such as;
- professional (eg when you were announced as a new hire in a company newsletter)
- educational (eg you were once featured on your school website for winning an essay prize)
- related to a sport or other hobby (eg you were top scorer in a five-a-side football game).
Kirsty Burnside 