Social Media Success and Sorrows

Since its creation social media has grasped the time and attention of millions of people all over the world. It has connected people across the country to each other and kept people updated with what's going on all around the world.

Whether on a train, plane or taxi cab people are most likely on their phone and nine times out of ten their on social media. People could be at a wedding recording videos on Snapchat, at a family reunion taking pictures for Facebook or on Instagram live at their graduation. Whichever situation they make time for social media.

Social media is like a double-edged sword. Although it has its charming pros like business opportunities, entertainment and access to new friends, it also has its cons as well. Some of these cons can cause detrimental outcomes to social media users.

Initially I didn't recognize major cons with social media until I read the article "20 Social Media Problem and Solutions in Society Today". Some of the cons listed that many people face based on the article are, neglecting family and responsibilities, reducing attention span, wasting time on social media, lack of focus and productivity, and seeking validation just to name a few. All of which I can relate to.

Typically people aren't aware of certain issues until they come face forward with it. After reading this article I've come to realize my own cons with social media. The major ones for me personally are neglecting family members and responsibilities, lack of focus and productivity and seeking validation.

I've noticed that I could be at an important or major family function but consistently pull out my phone to be on social media. Rather than fully enjoy the opportunity of being with my family, that I don't see everyday, I record things just for Snapchat. My family told me multiple times, "Rabia get off that phone and enjoy yourself!" 

To be honest, I got distracted multiple times writing this blog post because I was taking a social media break. I procrastinate a lot and in doing so, I end up on social media scrolling way longer than I should. As a result of that, task I could have done ahead of time or on time gets delayed.

Checking to see how many likes and shares I get on pictures and how much views I get on content videos is another problem. Though it may sound like a normal thing to do, I consistently check like every five minutes which is bizarre. I ponder on how come work that other people do of lesser value (in my opinion) gets way better likes, shares, views, and feedback than I do.

Even though these are all cons that many people face, it doesn't mean it's a problem that can't be fixed. Social media is great to have and use, it only becomes a problem if you make it one. Our way of maintaining control is how we use it. So it's your choice if you get social media success or sorrow.

What's Really Social About The Media?

 There was a time when being social consisted of talking face to face and if you lacked that privilege you'd write a letter or send a telegraph. Well, those days are now gone! Everyday people are "social" on social media. Whether it's for marketing/business purposes or connecting with someone old or new, social media platforms are a major part of billions of people's everyday lives. 

Some of us use it entirely too much just for fun, when really we can get paid for it. Social media apps such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube give you the luxury of deciding to do whichever you prefer. Meanwhile Pinterest is more so an app for spending money or making money, while advertising or being intrigued by the advertisement.

I was surprised to gain knowledge from the "social media users demographics of 2020", that females use majority of apps with the exception of LinkedIn, more than males. It makes sense, but naturally as a female, I wouldn't have considered us to be such social media fans. I was also surprised to gain knowledge that Facebook is considered the "king" of social media according to the oberlo article. Statistics may rank Facebook at the top of the list of social media but they aren't at the top of my personal list.

My most favorite to least liked/used social media platforms are:

1. Instagram 

I was never really a big social media person but when I started my Instagram in 2018 I instantly fell in love with the app. I feel its a free space for creatives to express themselves and their talent. Instagram has opened so many doors for "regular" people and turn them into social media influencers like you wouldn't believe.

People like B. Simone, Desi Banks, Mariam Musa and several others started as regular people and thrived extremely using this app. Not only that, but Instagram has allowed people to create and advertise their businesses on a global level.

Even though Instagram doesn't quite match up to Facebook's 2.41 billion monthly users, Instagram has become an amazing and helpful platform for users. 

When you click on this app you will either entertain, be entertained, sell or buy. My personal use of this app consist of entertaining as well as being entertained. I love creating content on Instagram such as skits, how to videos, or posting well thought out photo shoot pictures. Using this app has really brought me out my comfort zone. The free space you get in expressing your talents and interest is exhilarating. 

One negative thing I can say is that people abuse the purpose of this app. People have used it to cyberbully and harass regular celebrities just as well as regular people. The good thing though, is it gives you the option of putting your page private so you can be selective of who sees or comments on your post and profile.

The other negative thing is that people have allowed likes to dictate their worth on this app. Views and likes have taken over self-worth. People also have lost touch on how to actually communicate in person as well.

2. Snapchat

Oh how I love this app ! Fifty-three percent of users within the age of 15-25 (which is the highest group) use this app. Which explains why I love it so much because I fall in that group.

I like to think of this app as a 60 seconds or less daily vlogging app. On this app you can post short clips of your choosing, message people, advertise and so  much more. It has allowed people to connect from all over. I've even caught up with old friends that I haven't seen in a while using this app.

This app has 314 million users accord to the "Top 10 Most Popular Social Media Apps to Follow" article by Morris Edwards. I guess this app attracts all these users because of the fun filter options. These option range from dog faces to even spiders crawling on you when you're in the camera!

I've used this app to advertise my YouTube videos and cake jar business, but I also just use it for fun. There is not much bad things about this app, the only thing I dislike about this app is that people feel their worth is dependent on their snap score number.

3. YouTube

 If no there platform has provided streams of income and jobs for creators, YouTube has. People like DDG and Queen Naija have literally gone from YouTube vloggers to artists reaching grammy nominations or awards because of their use of youtube.

YouTube has 2 billion active users. These users either consist of content creators or viewers. You can have a YouTube that can get monetized or you could just use it to put out whatever information you like. 

Not only does celebrities use this app to promote music and their music videos but regular people can too. YouTube also allows users with YouTube pages to post content like pranks, vlog, reviews, how to's , drama reporting and gaming to get monetized for it once they reach 1,000  subscribers and obtain 4,000 watch hours.

I've personally used it to post vlogs on my personal channel. I also like to watch makeup tutorials, vlogs, mukbangs, etc. from other content creators. 

My only dislike is that people use this platform to cyberbully and stalk.

4. Facebook

Even though this app is the king of all social media apps, I have a love-hate relationship with this app. I had an account in high school, but deactivated for years because of all the negative energy it has.

It consisted of so many negatives, I couldn't see the positive side. People thought your worth was based on likes and shares. People also watched the amount of "happy birthdays" you got to determine your popularity status and the list goes on. Im not going to say much has change but I will say I have.

 

I've gained a new perspective. I now see that this is one of the best, if not the best app, to advertise for your business and reconnect with old friends. On this app people actually support your business a whole lot more than they do on Instagram. 

People basically live on Facebook ! Out of all apps on my phone people are the most active on this one. I guess the statistics aren't just a gimmick.

5. Pinterest

This app right here is where creators get inspired. Theres so much things to get from this app. You can get fashion ideas, cooking recipes, diet plans, decor ideas, etc. There is absolutely no wonder females dominate this app. It's like a virtual cookbook or diary for us.

I’ve personally used it to get fashion, photoshoot, hairstyles and dinner ideas. Other than my personal use I know that companies used it to bring revenue to their pages and products. I could go as far to say Pinterest is the home app for marketing and advertising. So many businesses have thrived because of this app.

Surpisingly I have no dislikes for Pinterest. I can only say it's just limited to looking an not much of connecting with others on a personal level as opposed to the other apps.