New Media Blog: Social Net'g

Monday, June 20, 2016

Social Net'g

What are some ways (corporate and otherwise) that these technologies can be used?

These technologies can be used as presidential campaigns; Obama was also the first presidential candidate to effectively use social media as a major campaign strategy. He was sending out voting reminders on Twitter and interacting with people on Facebook. The real power of social media is not in the number of posts or Tweets but in user engagement measured by content. Obama used social media to raise money for his campaign. He took advantage and used a database, where, there were millions of names of supporters who can be engaged almost instantly. Some of the technologies Obama used were Facebook, Instagram, Tweeter, YouTube, Pinterest and more of these technologies helped him to raise money for his campaign.

What are the benefits of these technologies to society?

Recruiters are using Linkedin as one of their technologies sites to recruit professionals. Linkedin has over 300 million users and I’m one of them. By creating an account you will show people who you are by showing off your experience. Other members from Linkedin can recommend you to other companies if you are available in the market. If you are looking for a new job or about to graduate college I think Linkedin can help you find a job as soon as you graduate from college. Some of the benefits are: job e-mail alerts, connect with professionals, conduct company research, getting recommendations and most important letting companies find you.

Is there a dark side?

Every time we use social media to post pictures or comments we are leaving behind our fingerprints. Some people are over sharing personal information in Facebook, Instagram , Tweeter and I think this is the dark side because it makes them an easy target. Predators, thieves and others can use your personal information to harm you. I don’t think there is such a thing as privacy when it comes to social media. Once you post something I believe anyone can see it somehow. In addition, recruiters can use these technologies to see their future employees as the following article describes: “the line between professional networking on a site such as LinkedIn, and social networking on sites such as Facebook, “has become very thin,”… When a business contact from the LinkedIn world wants to become your friend on Facebook, do you accept the invitation, giving them access to the photos on your Facebook profile from last summer’s rowdy beach party?”

These technologies might evolve in the future?

In my opinion, technology is going to evolve in the future and every generation is going to contribute something new to this world. An article, “How Obama Tapped Into Social Networks’ Power” written by David Carr describes how “Thomas Jefferson used newspapers to win the presidency, F.D.R. used radio to change the way he governed, J.F.K. was the first president to understand television, and Howard Dean saw the value of the Web for raising money,” The impact of social media in the 21^st century is changing the way we communicate.