Social Media Networks- Changing the Way We Know Our World and Society

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Since the beginning of time, there has been and continues to be only one truth- Man is a social animal who just cannot live alone. From the first tentative steps down the trees to the creation of Web 2.0, one thing which has driven man is the question- “How do I get to meet and know more people?’

Social media networks are just another instance of man trying to remain in touch with the maximum number of persons at once. Email helped us remain in touch irrespective of distances. Social networking sites now help us remain in touch with all our friends and even their friends if we so desire. The impact of social media networks has been particularly acute on the youth.

Youth’s fascination with social media networks began with websites like YouTube, hi5, orkut etc. Today, social media networking has invaded practically all aspects of a youth’s life. No longer are social websites used to just remain in touch. They are now used to express opinions, change established rules and break age old barriers. Websites like twitter permit you to tell others where you are and what you are up to. What purpose does this serve- This is a question that has no real answer.

My nephew tells me it is ‘in’ to tell all your friends that you are doing something totally cool. This may be something as mundane as shopping for new clothes. However, twitter helps you ask your friends’ opinions even as you stand on the shop floor.

Youth has a desire to tilt towards mockery. Nothing seems sacred and worth respecting for the youth. However, this is a facade as the youth of the world is constantly thinking, judging and coming up with improvements. This is evident from the manner in which social media networks have become a part of advertising, consumer satisfaction and even politics. The recent American Election was a watershed as far as use of technology was concerned. Speeches, gaffes and even parodies were instantly relayed over social networking sites. Videos were highlighted on video sites while intense discussions, debates and even fund collection took place on other sites.

Social networks have become great places to make not just friends but also partners. Search for like minded persons with the same attitude towards work, play and money has now been extended to the web. Websites like Linkedin help you remain in touch with colleagues and other work related contacts irrespective of distances.

Further, school reunions have taken on a completely different meaning. Virtual reunions are now being regularly held on websites like alumni.net and batchmates. Why wait for decades to meet your old high school crush when you can exchange messages, photos, videos and links over social networking sites.

This rising popularity of social media networks is not going to dissipate any time soon. This network boasts of over 100 million users with more than 25,000 joining every day. All this is happening in a world where high speed broadband connection is restricted to urban areas only. Imagine what would happen when the whole world gets connected?

To know more on impact on social networks on youth, click here

To know more about impact on social networking on politics, click here

Here are a few places that you can find me via the internet: LinkedIn Profile, Twitter. Facebook and Plaxo

Learn more about social media marketing by following my mate Dave Saunders via these channels: Blog, Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin.

Happy networking,

Chef Matthew J.G.

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