Social Networking Platforms

Communications and Media
Name
Institution
Communications and Media
Introduction
Social networking platforms like Twitter and Facebook have become prevalent in providing fast information to users. Many users use social networks to create awareness, share information such as links, news, updates, photos, and videos among others. The widespread use of digital devices like social media has also created a situation of information surge that is unpredictable in its intention and consequence while being transmitted (Hermida, 2012). However, this paper aims to show that even with the rapid growth of the information flow that makes it unpredictable, social media has impacted it users positively.
Social networking sites have impacted their users for the better because of their prevalence. The increasing use of social sites allows users to represent themselves in ways that enhance self-representation or self-promotion. According to Hutchins (2011, p. 238), this is evident among many elite athletes who constantly communicate with fans, followers, and even journalists on social media providing updates on their progress or experiences. Social media users can upload messages, links, and even photographs to reveal to their friends or social media community about their profiles. The ability of users to present their own information without interference from anyone creates an element of trust with this media. In this way, the cultural difference between the social media community gets broken, and togetherness is built along the way (Hutchins, 2011).
Users of social media benefit positively because they easily get information out fast and efficiently. It becomes easy for any person signed on a social network to present their personal views without interruption or corruption of the message. Additionally, users can present their information in an environment that is conducive to differing views. This element of telepresence ensures groups remain in contact even “without literally being in contact.” Citing Hermida (2012, p. 660), social media creates a central platform for users to create and retrieve any con...