Social media is a combination of online communication channels engaged in group-oriented input, communication, information sharing and relationships. Different types of applications and websites that are dedicated to social networks, blogs, forums, wikis and social bookmarks form the different types of social media. The most common types are Facebook, YouTube, Google+, WhatsApp, Twitter, QQ, WeChat, Qzone, OLX, Instagram, LinkedIn, Tumblr, Skype, Viber, Snapchat, Pinterest, MySpace, Meetme, Meetup, Mixi, Tout, Douban, Flickr , Buzznet, Wehearit and Friendster These social websites have approximately 100,000,000 registered users. Although there are different types of social media, they share many common features, with Users creating service-oriented profiles for the website and applications that are planned and maintained by the association. User-generated materials such as digital images, posts, videos, comments and data shared through online interfaces. All types of social media are interactive Internet applications that enable the growth of online social networks by connecting a user’s profile with those of other people or groups.
Users usually connect to social media facilities through web-based tools on computers or download services from Internet applications on their mobile phones, through these services users can generate highly collaborative platforms through which individuals, groups and institutions can segment, co-create , debate and review user-generated data or pre-constructed content displayed online. They represent significant and prevalent changes in communication between professions, institutions, societies and individuals. This changed the communication between individuals and large institutions. Researchers study these changes and new technologies are introduced as a result of these changes. It differs from traditional print and electronic media in various aspects such as reach, customer, value, reach, occurrence, interaction, use, proximity and longevity. Its channels work in dialogue mode of transmission while old media use monologue mode of transmission.
Facebook is widely used in all countries, 84 percent of young Americans are its users. Almost 60 percent of teenagers have social media profiles, the majority of people spend a minimum of two hours a day on social networking sites, and the time spent on these sites is greater than the time spent on any other type of site. The total time spent on social sites in the US was 66 billion minutes in 2012 and now stands at 121 billion minutes. It has become a source of professional prospects and financial gains.
Social media has many good and bad effects. It enables connection with real or virtual groups and is a real advertising tool for businesses, financiers, charities as well as support groups, politicians and administrations. Its significant use has also been shown to cause sadness, cyberbullying, online stalking, and wandering.
We cannot define social media by their ability to bring people together, according to this description the telegraph and the telephone could be their types. In fact, social media is usually used to pronounce social networking sites such as: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snapchat, Instagram and Wechat allows using them to make their own personal profiles to share ideas, images, videos, talk each other and update each other with the new things, events and happenings while doing their daily chores and routine tasks.
A feature of social media – Content spreads like a virus
Sometimes there is a possibility that the content posted on social sites can spread like a virus on social networks. Users will reshare content posted by another user on their social network, resulting in further sharing. Posts like the explosion of an atomic bomb in North Korea, breaking news like the news of Michelle Jackson’s death crashed internet servers as this news was quickly shared and re-shared by people using social networking sites. This is the concept of spreading a viral disease from one infected person to another person. Some individuals, groups and organizations use this viral spread of news as an effective way of publicity.
Using cellular applications
Using a mobile phone to access sites is a big factor in the popularity of these sites. It is now easier, personal and cheap to use social media than before, the smartphone has made the internet a very “convenient” thing for the younger generation to use. Youngsters now spend more time interacting on social media sites than watching television. Any type of sites can be accessed easily using the smartphone, content can be added, shared, sent, received, voice and video calls can be updated more easily without the use of desktop computers or laptops. The use of Wi-Fi technology has enabled the use of an Internet connection by all family members. All family members can use the Internet sites according to their own likes and dislikes, time flexibility and privacy. Mobile applications like WhatsApp, Skype are widely used to make video calls, YouTube is used to watch videos, Facebook is used to share videos, images, texts and status updates by mobile users. Mobile social media refers to the use of media on mobile phone sets such as smartphones. Mobile applications enable the creation, exchange and distribution of user-generated content. Location and time sensitivity are the important factors for accessing social media from mobile devices.
Location and time sensitivity gave mobile devices an advantage over desktop computers by offering companies the opportunity to expand their business by marketing and advertising through them. Mobile gadgets can be used for investigation, communication, sales progress or discount and partnership growth programs.
Social sites use social plans, creating milestones that are equally beneficial to consumers, industries and networks using e-commerce or online consumption. Users post comments about a company’s product or service with their online friends and associates. The company wins because it gains awareness of how its product or service is perceived by customers. Apps like Amazon.com and Pinterest are influencing the growing trend in the acceptance and accessibility of e-commerce or online consumption.