Things to consider about social media

10 Key points that people using new media should be aware of.

1. People using the new media known also as social media should be aware of the rise of cyber bullying. Over 25% of teens and adolescents have experienced cyberbullying in some way or another (http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/cyber-bullying-statistics.html). Parents should be aware of the significant amount of this occurring so that they may talk with their children both about how to respond to it and how their children should avoid participating in such acts. Cyber bullying takes on many forms. Such forms include mean comments on social networking sites, the use of cell phone messaging, spreading rumors online, pretending to be someone else online, are just a few of the forms that cyber bullying takes. According the Harford County Examiner, only 1 in 10 teens tell their parents when cyberbullying occurs (http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/cyber-bullying-statistics.html). It is very significant that this figure changes in order for adolescents to stop these things from occurring.

2. Social media has become a serious source of information concerning businesses and marketers in particular. In one case the business Red Robin (A restaurant company) has used social media to improve how their recipes were done based on customer feedback on social media sites (Tim Mullaney). The use of social media can improve both a business and the customers experience with said business. Social media is increasing the amount of participation that consumers have with businesses creating a stronger and more powerful service economy. In fact 90% of businesses have reaped some kind of benefit from new new media (Tim Mullaney)

3. In many cases people use new new media to engage in social interactions that would not normally otherwise do. Normally shy people might end up posting things that they might be otherwise too afraid to say in person. This actually creates an unnatural attitude that said person really is incapable to showing in person, and thus, not a true reaction of that person. According to psychology today, people should limit their information to factual information rather then on emotional response (Alex Lickerman). Avoiding using the internet as a shield from the reactions of the real world can be good for using the internet as an emotional crutch.

4. The use of social media has greatly effected language in many ways. This means how langauge is received, the audience that receives it, and how the language itself is being shaped. Many users of the internet are blogging and typing posts that create a new vessel for communication and the use of language that effects people worldwide. According to Social Media Today, the use of websites like twitter change how verbose language and communication are by the character limit imposed on the website (Karan Chopra). The article also distinguishes the difference between proper grammar and 'textspeak', which is the new emerging form of language created mostly by the use of social networking sites.

5. Social networking sites have also had an impact on how females view their bodies based on what images social media presented to them. A study by Arizona State University indicated a strong connection between exposure to ultra thin models had an adverse effect on womens self esteem based on what images they viewed. The group exposed to ultra thin models experienced a higher level of stress, depression, and body dissatisfaction (Eric Stice, Heather E. Shaw). Such exposure to thin models is quite common place on social media sites and chronic exposure to thin models can effect the self esteem of girls on a massive level. It is important to understand what is a fantasy look and what most people should actually look like.

6. One major shift of media power has been the emergence of citizen journalists. This means that anybody can report the news and share information that could be critical to world news. The use of citizen journalism has been the forefront of spreading information to a vast amount of people through the internet. During the Iran election, over 60 % of links on twitter were related to that election and the complications that arose (Nic Newman). Such reporting keeps a constant stream of both first and second hand accounts of the story keeping an almost visceral quality to the stories. It is very important to be aware that this is a very serious form of journalism and should not be overlooked because it is being done on a new media platform. While the information may be spotty due to easily spread errors, overall the mistakes do correct themselves. Also it is important to be aware that older forms of media were not flawless and it can be said that citizen journalism is a fast and more effective means to transferring information.

7. While social media can be a source of good information there are many cases where it can prove to be a host of hoaxes and false rumors. It is very important for users to be aware that any kind of falsehood may be posted of twitted at any time. One rumor was that Bill Cosby was running for president in 2012 (Lisa Mason). Such rumors can be destructive for how social media is portrayed in the view of the public in general. This can spark unfair attention to social media sites in general. Overall it is important to understand that any piece of information can be misunderstood, altered, or in any other way misrepresented. Users should always be aware that any information can be true or merely misinformation.

8. One major concern about social media is copyright laws. There is a great deal of copyrighted material that is passed around on social media. Many videos on Youtube are frequently taken down for violating this copyright law. It is certain that the free passing of information conflicts with the capitol gains from artistic creativity. Many artists feel that their material is owned and sold and is not meant to be freely shared over social networking sites. At this point in time it is possible for Twitter posters to copyright their original tweets (Renee Hykel). This demonstrates how the world of social media is growing into a legitimate business for its users. Observing the copyright laws creates an environment where intellectual property is observed and credit is placed where it is deserved to be.

9. One major thing that has changed is celebrities using social media. This creates a sense of realism to people that almost seemed completely removed from the world entirely. The use of social media has allowed celebrities to be more interactive to their fans. Celebrities such as Mila Kunis, Justin Timberlake, Taylor Swift, and other celebrities have accepted invitations from their fans (Thomas Clayton). The use of social media to distribute information to the public about upcoming events saves money to both the distributor and the consumer (Thomas Clayton). Due to the many advantages of social networking many celebrities and fans can come together and create a stronger relationship. It is through social networks that the world becomes vastly smaller and everyone is connected to the same digital world.

10. A danger facing social media users is the threat of online stalkers. Often times people give away information that could result in someone fallowing them with unwanted attention. Using sites like facebook and twitter, people can watch and harass someone through the internet and in some cases fallow them into their lives outside the internet. According to Seomworld, 29% of teens have been friended and stalked by a complete stranger that they accepted a friend request from (Tarek Riman). Also 83% of college students regularly check their ex's facebook (Tarek Riman). It is not uncommon to be interested in a past romance but at times things can go too far and unwanted harassment and attacks could occur.

Works Cited:

1. “Cyber Bullying Statistics.”http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/cyber-bullying-statistics.html. n.a. Web. 2013.

2 “Social Media is Reinventing How Business is Done.” http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/economy/story/2012-05-14/social-media-economy-companies/55029088/1. Tim Mullaney. Web. May 16 2012.

3 “The Effects of Technology on Relationships. http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/happiness-in-world/201006/the-effect-technology-relationships. Alex Lickerman. Web. June 8, 2010.

4. “The Effects of Social Media in How We Speak and Write.” http://socialmediatoday.com/karenn1617/1745751/effects-social-media-how-we-speak-and-write. Karan Chopra. Web. September 17, 2013.

5. “Adverse Effects of the Media Portrayed Thin-Ideal on Women and Linkages to Bulimic Symptomatology.”
http://guilfordjournals.com/doi/abs/10.1521/jscp.1994.13.3.288. Eric Stice, Heather E Shaw. Web. 1994

6. “The Rise of Social Media and its Impact on Mainstream Journalism.” http://www.sssup.it/UploadDocs/6635_8_S_The_rise_of_Social_Media_and_its_Impact_on_mainstream_journalism_Newman_07.pdf. Nic Newman. Web. September 2009.

7. “Social Media Rumors and Hoaxes.” http://socialmediasun.com/social-media-rumors/. Lisa Mason. Web. April 27, 2012.

8. “Copyright Issues for Social Media.”https://www.legalzoom.com/intellectual-property-rights/copyrights/copyright-issues-social-media. Renee Hykel. Web. July 2012.

9. “5 Ways Celebreties' Social Media Presence Evolved in 2012.”ttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/thomas-clayton/celebrities-social-media_b_2529151.html. Thomas Clayton. Web. January 22, 2013.

10. “Social Media and Cyber Stalking Facts.” http://www.seomworld.com/2013/09/social-media-and-cyber-stalking-facts.html#.UzjLLfldW24. n.a. Web. 2013