Social Media, A Phenomenon to be Analyzed

   It's truly amazing to see how the use of the Internet and social media has grown from the time it had first began to now. I never knew what a BBS was until this week when I had learned about it for this class. The furthest back I can remember in social media is AOL's message system. Now, it's 2017; the time of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and so much more. 
   So many aspects have definitely changed with social media, especially the design and layouts of web pages. It's crazy to think of how Internet web pages have gone from this,

to this:

   The article, "Social Media, A Phenomenon to be Analyzed", pointed out so many things that are true about the way social media is used among different types of people this day in age. I agree with the article one hundred percent. People use the Internet and social media so differently than one another, depending on what their intentions are and why they are even posting in the first place.

   Social media is such a great way for those running, or just starting, a business to really get themselves and their name out in the public eye. Whether they are selling a product, starting a company, or anything in between, social media is one of the best ways to get out there for others to see. It seems as if most of the population focuses their attention on social media. 

   Those who aren't focused on businesses and aren't entrepreneurs use social media for what seems to be one thing: communication. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and all other websites like them make it so easy to speak among one another; no matter where in the world you are. You can be living in the United States, having a full on conversation with someone who lives in Europe; your messages to each other sending and coming in within seconds. The sites, like the ones I had listed, make it easy for people to know what you're up to in your everyday life. Posting, tweeting, and uploading a photo for your friends and followers is simple; it's all at the push of a button. 

   One thing that the article did not speak on, but has really escalated because of social media, is fame. There has been so many young artists who are discovered on sites like Youtube, Vine, Instagram-- any kind of social media-- who become famous from their posts. Some people, like Instagrammers, become famous solely due to their photo quality and looks, which is crazy to think about. 

   Those who are not completely sure how to use social media (mostly those in the older generations) see it as something terrifying. I remember my mother would always tell me to be careful, because I never know who I'm really talking to. Of course, that's true, but most of us millennials tend to know if someone is truly who they claim to be, thanks to shows like Catfish (I suggest you all watch if you haven't; it's incredibly attention grabbing!).

   Social media in 2017 is different and amazing, no matter what it's being used for. Whether you use it for business, communication, or solely entertainment, it's turned into something that will probably stick around for a very long time.