Social Networking Sites
Social Networking sites can be different from one platform to another. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn are all platforms that I use, but the experiences on each platform are unique. While I may use each platform, each one serves it's own purpose to me.
Beginning with Facebook, I see it as a way to socialize with family members, high school classmates/teachers and current classmates. While I have not posted on Facebook since 2017, I often log in to see Baruch College Class of 2020's page so that I can see what classes my current classmates are taking. Most times, they are either selling textbooks, or asking opinions about how to be successful in a class. I find this very helpful as it helps me get an overview for a class I may be taking, or even helps me find an elective I would have never known about. Facebook has grown to be more of an educational platform for me, rather than posting about my everyday life like I once did in 2017.
Twitter is a platform I use all day every day. I particularly love Twitter because it is the home of memes, but also can be seen as the modern news platform. As someone who dislikes watching the news since it is almost always negative, Twitter makes it easy for me to learn about situations that just occurred. Not only can I see the news, but I can also see what people think about the situation and have a discussion with them about it. Twitter gives you more accessibility to connect with artists, creators, and even politicians. People are more prone to respond to your tweet than to reply to your comment on Instagram. One can especially see this when celebrities do Q&A's with their fans. Twitter can even be a tool for finding jobs, being that you can find recruiters on this platform using hashtags to find job seekers.
Instagram is another platform that I use on a daily basis. However, compared to Twitter I do not go to Instagram to learn about what is currently happening in the world. Instagram, for me, is more of a keeping up to date with people's lives. I mostly have friends and acquaintances on Instagram, being that I also partake in sharing updates on my life. I also have the impression that Instagram can become a popularity contest for some, where one person is always trying to outdo the other. It is more common for users on Instagram to create a facade to make their followers believe they are happier than they really are. Instagram is also a place full of ads, where influencers are promoting products such as Flat Tummy Tea. Ads are also included as sponsored posts, and even give you the ability to buy the product right there on the app.
LinkedIn is the platform I use for job-seeking purposes. My impression of this social networking site is that is mostly catered to recruiters and job seekers. LinkedIn is essentially an online version of your resume. One can apply directly to a job on LinkedIn. One of the best features on this site is the ability to connect with recruiters, more specifically the recruiter of the job you just applied to. Being able to connect with recruiters gives you an insight of their company, while also allowing you to introduce yourself to the them so that learn can know more about you. While your resume provides this information, nothing compares to interactions because it goes beyond what your resume provides. Today, many job applications ask that you provide your LinkedIn, as it is an addition to your resume in this modern world. LinkedIn users can also connect with previous employers and coworkers, which can provide endorsements for skills you may have listed.
These social networking sites all serve a different purpose, but can be deemed somewhat essential in today's world. While it is true that it can become toxic to live and breathe social networking sites, it can be helpful in terms of things such as finding a job.
It is interesting to me how to broke down these social media platforms. I have similar platforms, however, they my break down for each platform is very different from you. It is interesting to me that you use Facebook for educational proposes and find it useful. After 2016 elections, I found Facebook a toxic place and deactivated my account. Maybe it is time for me to go back to Facebook and try to find a better use for it.
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