Redefining Communication

Social media is redefining the way we communicate and how information is disseminated. For a growing number of people, social media provides an alternative way of keeping in touch with friends, relatives and communities without any physical contact. Social media has enabled companies, organizations, and governments to reach large numbers of people beyond what was achievable using conventional communication mediums. At the same time, social media is changing the ways in which people interact with others, although the full impact of these changes is not yet clear, this medium of communication has facilitated the rise of an era of digital interaction and expression. While others might argue that social media encourages physical isolation, I perceive social media as a means to foster stronger relationships especially for individuals who face barriers of communication; in short, social media is providing ways of encouraging participation with community members and enhancing relationships.

The paradox of social media marketing

Conventional information sources such as the television, radio or the newspaper delivers information through a asymmetrical framework that does not allow direct feedback. Today, advertisements have penetrated a variety of social media platforms such as networking and social sites like Google plus, Facebook and Twitter. However, one unique characteristic of such social media platform is that receivers of this information are no longer passive listeners and observers; these sites provide empowerment.  Consumers now voice their opinions, complains, criticism about an advertisement, issue and product. Yet, the very ability of reacting positively or negatively aids in either enhancing the marketing prowess of a brand or product through word of mouth or rapidly tarnishing the image and reputation of the latter.

Digital Activism

Human expressions of courage, leadership, disappointment, anger and violence transcend the digital landscape effortlessly. Social media websites have shown to be platforms of such human expression. Over the years, celebrities and leaders are born just by an act caught on digital media and posted on the Internet. One would think that the paradigm of attaining fame or respect is through influence; social media reflects what might be an entire level of influence that knows no borders, race, religion nor ethnicity. A single person, art, film, speech could potentially influence millions of people through an online platform. One of such is TED Talks which has recently reached a total of 1 billion viewers to view and listen to inspiring and motivational speakers around the world. This incredible feat could be attributed to the unprecedented access to information that social media has supported.

We have acknowledge that social media is the new social apparatus of communication. Generations of youths and young adults have embraced social media as part of their everyday lives. This new tool has enabled consumer and user empowerment, which suggest that rapport could be build without any physical contact but through digital expressionism. Social discourses and ideas have never been as accessible globally without the existence of social media. Hence, social media will continue to play a pivotal role in catalyzing future ideas and influencing social and political changes throughout the world.